Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and residuals of frostbite to the feet due to credible evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran requires regular aid and attendance as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for corns and calluses of the feet, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD. The Veteran's claims for knee disabilities, OSA, flat feet, and low back disability are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file, indicating that the Veteran's knee conditions may be associated with his spinal condition. The case is now before the Board for further appellate consideration.

The Veteran's left knee disability resulted in painful movement with limited extension to 10 degrees and limited flexion to 80 degrees, without ankylosis or instability. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate for this period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to new evidence received. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his military service, including parachute jumps, and grants service connection.

The Veteran's unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred on April 24, 2011 for migraine headaches and vomiting were covered as they met the criteria of an emergency treatment. The expenses incurred on September 29, 2011 did not meet these criteria.

The Veteran does not have a back disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral arm disability, bilateral knee disability, or an acquired psychiatric disorder that was caused by his service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent for the periods from December 9, 2002, to May 19, 2010, and after April 26, 2013. For the period from October 7, 2011, to December 29, 2011, and for the periods from January 5, 2009, to August 23, 2009, and from October 1, 2009, to May 19, 2010, his left knee disability was rated at 10 percent. After April 26, 2013, the Veteran's left knee disability with total knee replacement was rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and for increased ratings for her right and left foot calcaneal spurs, as well as for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's knee disabilities are also not rated higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show any additional limitation of motion or functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or incoordination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected tinea versicolor with acne and chondromalacia patella of both knees, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or hearing loss, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's arthritis of his knees is due or related to his parachute jumps during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, considering the impairment from the disorders and his educational and employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military sexual trauma. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral knee disability, including right and left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee internal derangement. The examiner must consider the Veteran's in-service issues with his knees despite their absence from service records, as well as the potential relationship between the knee conditions and his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verifying his periods of active duty and Army Reserve service, obtaining relevant VA treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee sprain, Crohn's disease, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims, including obtaining missing STRs and providing additional medical opinions on the issues of right knee disability and hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disability and right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they are related to active duty service.