Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as her left knee condition has been characterized by pain and mild degenerative joint disease, with ankylosis of the left knee not shown. The current rating for 10 percent is maintained.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury are found to be service-connected, including significant problems remembering visual images in short term memory. Service connection is also granted for bilateral flat feet and a left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and right knee disorders did not begin in, nor were aggravated by, his active service. The fifth finger left hand disorder was also found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, effective from the date of the claim. The ratings are for limitation of flexion in both knees.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shoulder bursitis, hip condition, left knee bursitis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have all been granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current lumbar spine, left hip bursitis, and bilateral knee disorders are related to his active service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service.

The Veteran's bruxism is found to be related to service, warranting service connection.,There is no current evidence of a left knee disability. The claim for this issue is denied.,The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for his right hip disability as the flexion limitation does not exceed 45 degrees.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated based on limitation of motion, and he does not meet criteria for higher ratings under DC 5201.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability warranted a rating of 20 percent under DC 5258 for dislocated cartilage, and a 10 percent rating under DC 5257 for slight lateral instability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities, including range of motion testing and functional loss due to pain and repetitive use.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for various service connection claims, including those related to his throat disorder and diabetes mellitus, have been withdrawn. The claim for a throat disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee meniscectomy residuals was denied as the highest schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, as the current medical evidence is insufficient to determine whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, right knee arthritis, and lumbar disc bulging and arthritis of the lumbar spine are all found to have onset during service. The Veteran is granted a rating of at least 10 percent for his left heel fasciitis.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of headaches and that there is no evidence linking his headaches to service or any service-connected disabilities. The claims for back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee conditions are also denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury and bilateral eye irritation and blurred vision have been withdrawn. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain status post hemilaminectomy, the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, cervical spine (cervical spine disability), and the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthropathy have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's outstanding treatment records and to provide him with a new VA examination for his knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as another opinion on his nervous condition claim. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for his right ankle disability are being remanded.