Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and pseudofolliculitis barbae are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's chronic myelomonocytic leukemia is related to service and the Board finds service connection is warranted. The claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as low back disability, are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional efforts are needed to obtain the Veteran's service records and private treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination for his right knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment outside of a protected environment, given his occupational experience and educational background. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee medial meniscal tear were both denied, with the PTSD receiving a final rating of 30 percent effective April 21, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right knee condition, and a left knee condition. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, as evidenced by his military occupational specialty and the onset of symptoms shortly after service. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for right ankle strain is denied because there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.,Service connection for left knee strain is denied due to lack of evidence connecting it to service.,Service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is denied as the Veteran's current condition does not appear related to his military service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted because it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, a service-connected disability.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, a service-connected disability.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted due to its relationship with the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on its relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to his withdrawal. The remaining claims have been evaluated, but no service connection is granted as there is insufficient evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability is denied as there is no medical evidence showing the current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disability and denied service connection for left shoulder disability. The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available following one year of post-surgery status post total knee replacement.

The Board has granted service connection for fatigue and found that the Veteran's joint pain, including as due to Gulf War exposure, is related to his service. The right knee and back disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 70%, fracture of the left elbow rated at 10%, and degenerative arthritis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar spine rated at 10%, do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and clarification of events in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disorders, as well as his claim for right knee disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate these claims, and that a right knee disability was not incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee disability prior to April 23, 2015 and a higher than 10 percent rating thereafter.,The Veteran is granted a 30 percent disability rating for his headaches.