Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and associating all outstanding VA treatment records with the claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability other than chronic gastritis, to include IBS, and for degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee. The Veteran is entitled to an SOC regarding his claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, variously diagnosed as anterior cruciate ligament repair; patellofemoral syndrome; torn medial meniscus; septic joint-post-operative; and patella-femoral joint injury, had its onset during military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's post TKR left knee disability is manifested by no more than intermediate weakness and pain, with flexion to at least 90 degrees and extension full. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral knee arthritis and rheumatism, heart disability, and sinusitis are denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a relationship to service.,The Veteran's current hypertension condition is not related to his service. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current heart conditions (coronary artery disease and hypertensive cardiovascular disease) are related to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is denied as there is no in-service incurrence or relationship to service. Additionally, he is not entitled to presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.,Bilateral knee arthritis and rheumatism claims are denied as the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection. The Board also finds no evidence of continuity of symptomatology between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's heart disability (coronary artery disease and hypertensive cardiovascular disease) claim is denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or relationship to service. Additionally, the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's sinusitis claim is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected rhinitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities manifested by painful motion from September 4, 2009 to May 11, 2014. A 10 percent rating is granted for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees during this period.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left and right knee disabilities, left and right foot disabilities, and left and right ankle disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The VA examinations did not find any current diagnoses of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and patellofemoral chondromalacia, as well as his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, were found to have their onset during service. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, and further examination is needed as the Veteran is currently incarcerated.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to April 8, 2015 and did not meet criteria for any of the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's left tibial fracture is found to be secondary to his service-connected knee conditions. His migraines are rated at 30 percent since March 17, 2008.

The Veteran's left knee DJD, right shoulder disability (including DJD), and left foot disability are all found to be service-connected. The initial compensable rating for residuals of a left shoulder injury is granted, while the claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability prior to September 26, 2014 and from that date remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees is manifested by chronic pain, but no other functional impairment. The VA examinations have shown full range of motion with no significant clinical findings or flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 1, 2016. The Veteran is immune to Hepatitis B and does not have daily fatigue, malaise, or anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly.

The Board has decided that the appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for left and right knee disorders as secondary to cold weather injuries of the feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder and tinnitus are not related to his military service.,Service connection for a left knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence of chronic left knee problems during or within one year after service, and the current condition is more likely due to aging and wear and tear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to comply with recent case law regarding range of motion testing.