Knee decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The left knee disabilities are also denied as there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right knee disability. The appeal is currently remanded due to issues with scheduling an appropriate examination.

The Board is remanding the case for further proceedings due to a lack of retrospective medical evidence and for consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim in conjunction with his right knee rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations or earlier effective dates have been withdrawn. The claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been granted increased ratings, and a TDIU has been granted effective from June 30, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right knee meniscectomy, arthritis, and instability have all been denied by the Board. The highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5259 is a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral knee disorders are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, GERD, and urinary system disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ulnar nerve entrapment, knee disabilities, shoulder disability, neck disability, pes planus, foot neuroma, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The reduction in evaluation for DDD of the lumbar spine was also found to be improper.

The Board has remanded the issues of an increased rating for the right knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to noncompliance with remand directives. The remaining claims have been addressed, but no SOC has been issued.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bronchitis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The claim for hearing loss is remanded.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation for left knee disability from 20 percent to 10 percent effective January 1, 2015 was not proper. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The issue will be adjudicated again after the additional development is completed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his knee and ankle disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increased ratings for his bilateral knee strains with arthritis, and the Board finds that it does not have jurisdiction to review the merits of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for instability, effective from the date of claim. The current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence showing no more than slight lateral instability and limited flexion to 90 degrees with painful motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical examinations and providing an opinion on the etiology of his tinnitus.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral foot disability that had onset in service or is related to his active military service.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disability that had onset during service. The Veteran's current condition was diagnosed many years after separation from service and there is no medical opinion linking it to service.,The Veteran does not have a current heart condition that had onset in service or is related to his active military service, including his service-connected asbestos pulmonary disease.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of hypertension that had onset during service. The Veteran's current condition was diagnosed many years after separation from service and there is no medical opinion linking it to service.