Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee, right hip, and low back disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service and are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected SFW to the right thigh.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total rating were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher evaluations for his left knee disorder or right ankle disability.

The Veteran's tendonitis of the wrists had its onset during active service and is granted service connection. The nature and etiology of any current bilateral leg disability, other than knee or hip, will be determined by further examination.

The Veteran's knee and wrist disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since September 8, 2010. The initial ratings for the right knee medial meniscus tear and pes bursitis, left knee sprain, and right wrist sprain are granted.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with mild degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is granted. A separate disability rating for right knee instability from May 10, 2012 is also granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and respiratory disorder are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's PTSD and vertigo claims were not discussed at the hearing.

The Veteran's right knee disability, following his total knee replacement surgery and convalescence period, is rated at 60 percent since April 1, 2008.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for alopecia, bilateral foot dermatitis, a stomach disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are now reconsidered on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left, right knee disabilities and center chest disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current right knee disability is found to be related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a certification from the Chief Medical Director regarding the use of his service-connected back and knee braces.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence linking the current condition to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's sleep disorder, including nightmares and difficulty falling asleep, is considered part of his service-connected PTSD. A separate rating for this symptomatology is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated treatment records and for a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities, specifically her lumbar spine and knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as her combined evaluation is less than 60% and she does not have one disability rated at least 40% disabling. The Board finds that her service-connected conditions, alone, are not shown to preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis, left knee and sarcoidosis. The Veteran's claims remain denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for chondromalacia patella of the left knee and left knee laxity prior to July 5, 2010 were granted. For his post-total knee arthroplasty condition, a higher evaluation was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hip, ankle, and knee disabilities are not related to his service. The claim for bilateral knee disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's left knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent based on symptomatic removal of a semilunar cartilage. For the period of appeal, his disability manifests as painful motion with no additional limitation due to instability or subluxation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are not related to his military service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.