Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals from a right arm fracture, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left knee disorder, right hip disorder, headache disorder, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The decision is based on new evidence that supports reopening of these previously denied claims.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for right knee instability from 20% to noncompensable, effective November 1, 2014. The reduction was improper due to lack of full and complete examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and TBI, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to an in-service assault. The Veteran's other claims have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are not related to her military service, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or within one year post-service. The claims for secondary service connection have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability and service connection claim for a left shoulder disability. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to changes in his employment situation and the need for a new VA examination assessing the functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder was denied as he does not have a currently-diagnosed disability. His claim for bilateral knee disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence on file.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal as to the issues of service connection for refractive error and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 9, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent from the date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his total right knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether there was an improvement in the Veteran's service-connected post-operative left knee scar. Restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability or somatoform pain disorder as a result of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, following a total knee replacement, has been rated at 30 percent since March 1, 2006. Since February 3, 2010, the disability is rated at 60 percent.

Your claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been resolved in your favor, but the issue is no longer in appellate status as it was granted by the AMC in October 2013.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's service connection for left pes planus is granted. The right knee and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The RO reduced the Veteran's rating for his service-connected left knee condition from 20% to 10%, effective November 1, 2012. The reduction was proper as there was sustained improvement in the Veteran's range of motion.,The Veteran's right knee disability claim was denied and TDIU prior to March 22, 2011, was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection for left knee DJD with total knee arthroplasty, as well as a compensable rating for headaches.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for gastritis, skin rash of the neck, chest, and back, and service connection for left groin pain have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia has been denied.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches, the maximum schedular rating available. The left knee disability is rated as 0 percent prior to February 21, 2015 and 10 percent thereafter.