Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,His current rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20% due to the absence of a regulation of activities.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement has not resulted in chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, and his current range of motion is limited to 5 degrees of extension. The Board denied an increased rating for the right knee disability as well as a TDIU prior to July 25, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected conditions. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current left knee disability is linked to military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30 percent from June 30, 2007 to August 28, 2008. He also received a separate rating of 20 percent for his right knee cartilage dislocation with locking and pain. The Board granted TDIU effective July 29, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is related to an injury sustained during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, the maximum available under DC 5261. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right leg condition, back condition, and bilateral knee condition. The evidence submitted since the final denial does not meet the criteria to be considered new and material.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various joint conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the back, neck, shoulders, knees, hips, ankles, and elbows/arms are granted. The specific diagnoses include PTSD, right ankle condition, degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral hip conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, and a left elbow/arm condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted. The claims of service connection for a right hip condition, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and low back condition were both reopened due to new evidence received since the July 1998 rating decision. However, the status of his bilateral pes planus disability remains unclear.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right knee disability as not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and left leg amputation below the knee, finding that his left leg amputation was not causally related to his active service or any event therein. The rating for his right knee DJD with chondromalacia and left knee DJD with chondromalacia were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, increased rating for spondyloarthropathy with IVDS prior to February 23, 2016, and increased rating for chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee since February 23, 2016 were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increase in rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extra-schedular basis was not addressed as it is a separate matter.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee DJD, including whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder) and denied service connection for a right knee disorder. The decision is mixed as it grants one claim but denies another.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension based on the determination that the evidence of record was against a finding that his hypertension manifested during, or was otherwise etiologically related to, his active military service. The additional evidence received since the December 2014 Board decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran is entitled to a clothing allowance for the 2016 year due to his service-connected left knee disability causing wear and tear on his pants.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling based on limitation of motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and asthma, with a rating of 40 percent effective from April 9, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, and a maximum extension of the temporary total disability rating from October 21, 2010 to November 1, 2011 is warranted for his left knee surgery.