Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee disability status post total knee replacement are all service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is not enough evidence to determine whether the Veteran's current right knee condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disorders as well as a lower back disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide an updated opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or left knee disability, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,There is no evidence of a current left knee disability in the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability were denied as there was no evidence of instability or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating prior to February 17, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral lower extremities disability. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of both knees, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, the neck disorder and back disorder were not related to service or a service-connected condition, the right shoulder disorder and left hip disorder were also not related to service or a service-connected condition, and the umbilical hernia was not listed among diseases for which presumptive service connection applies. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his combined disability rating did not meet the threshold for entitlement.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability, is rated at 20 percent. The rating for limitation of extension remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to October 29, 2014, was characterized by slight instability and limited flexion. Since December 1, 2015, the disability has been manifested by pain and swelling without ankylosis or impairment of the tibia or fibula.

The Veteran's claims for left knee and right lower leg disabilities were denied as they are not shown to be related to service.,Service connection was also denied for chest pain and a rash on the face, with no indication of any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to assess his spine, skin, and knee conditions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his full service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current status of his facial nerve disability and right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims regarding reduction of his right knee rating and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The reduction from 30 to 10 percent was found improper, while a 10 percent rating for mild instability in the right knee is granted. For hearing loss, no increase in rating is warranted as there is no evidence of significant decrease in hearing since service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease of the right knee is etiologically related to service and all reasonable doubt in her favor has been resolved.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for congenital cataracts and granted service connection for left knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim for service connection for a left hand and finger condition remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and TB claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.,Right knee patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) was established during service, with the Veteran having a diagnosis in service and ongoing symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability evaluations of his service-connected right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.