Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's heart murmur is not a disability for VA purposes, and service connection cannot be granted.,Sleep apnea has been rated at the maximum 50% level due to use of CPAP machine. It does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on respiratory failure or tracheostomy.,Right shoulder degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 20%, which aligns with limitation of motion at shoulder level (170 degrees flexion).,Left knee tendonitis has been rated at the maximum 10% level, reflecting no more than normal range of motion and pain on movement.,Hypertension has not required compensable ratings as it is controlled by medication with diastolic pressure below 100 and systolic pressure consistently below 160.,Psoriasis affects less than five percent of exposed or unexposed areas without requiring systemic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive drugs.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The Veteran's right knee condition will be evaluated again to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for instability, with a separate rating of 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage. The Veteran also has moderate instability and episodes of locking and effusion in his right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more accurate VA examination of his left knee strain.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease resulted in a limitation of extension to no worse than 15 degrees from October 22, 2009 to June 9, 2010. The Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation higher than the assigned 20 percent rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of lipoma excision was denied due to lack of material evidence. The Board found no current disability related to the claimed condition.,Service connection for stroke residuals, eating disorder, urinary disorder (frequent urination), sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, and neck scars were all denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's GERD and hypertension were also denied as there was no indication that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's claim for periodontal disease (for both compensation and treatment purposes) was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or dental trauma during service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee instability, which is secondary to his pre-existing right knee osteoarthritis. The case must be remanded to determine if VA treatment records from prior to or within a year after August 2003 could have been considered in the context of his increased rating claim and whether they constitute new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, right ankle disability, and right hip disabilities. The issues on appeal are related to initial ratings assigned in a March 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for left knee and psychiatric disorders are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of his current conditions, including in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease with partial PCL tear is found to be etiologically related to an in-service injury, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, left femur scar, and left foot osteoarthritis have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right shoulder disability and determine if any right knee condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is denied. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic digestive disability.,Service connection is granted for a compulsive eating disorder, as the evidence shows it pre-existed service and was aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability, right knee disability, or sleep apnea-hypopnea that began during his active duty service. The Veteran's vertigo and migraines are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities at any time since the date of his claim in November 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for medical opinions regarding right shoulder and knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a low back disability and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also denied as there is no evidence of such a condition in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of his periods of active duty training.