Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions have been rated as at least a 30 percent rating for the entire period on appeal, which is granted. The Board finds that his left knee and ankle disorders are not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine and tension headaches has been granted at a 50 percent level, effective from the date of claim. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II and type I diabetes, bilateral hand disability, low back disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and neurological disorder of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's claims for increased rating for onychomycosis and dental disorder are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hip disorder, as well as bilateral ankle disorder. However, service connection is not established for right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability, as well as the nature and etiology of his right ankle, knee, and leg disorders.

The Veteran's costochondritis was incurred during active service and has continued since then. The Board finds that the Veteran's current costochondritis is related to his military service, granting direct service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain and residuals of medial meniscus tear are related to his service-connected torn meniscus left knee condition, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities and eosinophilic esophagitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee instability does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than slight instability.,There are no compensable scars on the Veteran's right knee. The scar is deep and linear, but not painful or unstable.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues include secondary service connection for a right knee disability, service connection for residuals of a spider bite (other than a left second toe disability), and service connection for a left second toe hammer toe deformity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability is remanded due to a need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's current complaints regarding his lumbar spine condition suggest a worsening since the last examination in January 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish that it is related to active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied because there is no evidence of its onset in or within one year after service and it is not linked to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is not related to his service, as it was a self-limiting condition. The Board finds that he does not have current sinusitis and thus cannot establish service connection for this issue.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with venous stasis dermatitis of the lower extremities (formerly tinea cruris) which is currently present. However, his in-service rash was resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current left knee disability is at least as likely as not causally related to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities are found to be related to service. Her acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's joint and nerve pain is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected HIV, and therefore, denied all claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee strain was denied as the evidence did not support a higher or separate rating under any diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities, as well as his hypertension, are at least as likely as not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee conditions did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service, and are not due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.