Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities do not render him unemployable due to their severity alone, as other nonservice-connected conditions also contribute significantly to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, diagnosed as degenerative osteoarthritis of the knees, status post total knee replacements, are related to service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his employability prior to August 29, 2007. The VA must obtain retrospective medical opinions regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a higher rating for PTSD. The remaining issues on appeal were resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia is manifested by removal of the meniscus, pain and noncompensable limitation of flexion and extension without ankylosis; a malunion of the tibia or fibula with a moderate knee or ankle disability; subluxation or instability; or dislocation of the semilunar cartilage of the knee with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain and effusion into the joint. The criteria for entitlement to a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine right paracentral disc protrusion of L4-L5 was granted a 20 percent rating prior to August 7, 2010 and a 40 percent rating since then. The left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was granted an increased rating from 10 percent to 40 percent since August 29, 2011. The Veteran's external hemorrhoids were granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 7, 2010 and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a right knee meniscal tear, left and right knee arthritis. The Veteran's eye disorder is being remanded for further examination. Service connection for hip and back disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for neurological disorder of the lower extremities and bilateral knee DJD are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The VA examiner did not address the bilateral knee disability, and a new opinion is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury, finding that the Veteran's current left ankle disability had its onset in active service. The issues regarding the right knee disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right elbow pain are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected, but her migraine headaches are found to be related to service.,Service connection for migraine headaches has been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the knees with total knee replacements, are likely due to disease or injury incurred in service.,Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for clarification of opinions from his VA treating physician.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, psychiatric disorders, knee and hip disabilities, and asbestosis were denied. The Board found no verified stressor events related to service, no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions, and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.,There is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor events occurred.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for post-operative residuals of the right knee and instability of the right knee, both prior to July 22, 2013. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and her arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred due to a lack of evidence showing it within one year after separation from active duty. The issue regarding her right ankle disability is pending as remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for groin injury, right knee disability, and left knee disability as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with traumatic arthritis and left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, as the last examination was from August 2011.