Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal and bilateral knee disabilities were denied as he does not have current diagnoses of these conditions. His claim for a left eye disability was granted but assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a right wrist fracture with arthritis, and left knee strain (left knee mechanical derangement) were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection for currently diagnosed conditions of the lumbar spine, right wrist, and left knee are granted.

The Veteran's right knee arthroplasty with partial medial and lateral meniscectomy and chondroplasty is granted as service-connected. The hypertension issue remains unresolved, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disorder that may be present. The claim will also include proper notice on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added to the record and because statements of the case have not been issued for the diabetes and left knee disability claims. The hypertension claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated contact information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating for his service-connected renal cell carcinoma of the left kidney since February 1, 2010, which was subsequently increased to 40 percent effective October 18, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee patellar instability, and thus grants service connection for both left and right knee degenerative joint diseases.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and left ankle strain are at least as likely as not caused by his active service.,For the reasons stated above, the claims for service connection for these disabilities are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities were rated at 10 percent effective May 23, 2008. The Board found that the increase in disability was not ascertainable prior to this date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities, but did not assign specific ratings or effective dates as these were not addressed in the decision.

The Board finds that the issues of whether severance of service connection for PTSD was proper, and entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are currently before it as they are inextricably intertwined with the appellate issues of the effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and the initial rating assigned for PTSD. The Veteran's period of honorable active service has already been finally adjudicated.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for additional disability resulting from a total right hip arthroplasty performed in January 2004, including neurological residuals (including foot drop), leg length discrepancy, and a right knee condition. The case has been remanded to obtain the informed consent form signed by the Veteran prior to the surgery, request updated VA treatment records, and schedule an examination with a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a complete record of treatment from the VA facility in Miami and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his left knee disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ankle disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of service connection for various foot, back, right hip, and left knee disabilities are under review.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated based on instability, cartilage 'locking', pain, joint effusion, and limitation of flexion. The ratings are granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to his right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left knee arthritis and concluded that his current left knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected right knee disability.