Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for disabilities of the right shoulder, right wrist, left knee, bilateral knees, and cervical spine has been granted. The issues have been remanded to obtain any additional VA treatment records and determine if a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted higher initial ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right testicular/groin disability, right leg disability, or lumbosacral spine disability. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including postoperative meniscectomy residuals and degenerative joint disease, did not exhibit symptoms that are already compensated by the existing ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5003, 5010, 5260, 5261, and 5257. Therefore, a separate compensable rating for postoperative left meniscectomy residuals is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental opinion from the February 2017 VA examiner. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher initial rating of 20 percent is warranted for limitation of motion in both knees, with consideration given to additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his residuals of tibia and fibula fracture with scar and his total knee replacement, is currently rated at 60 percent effective July 1, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is found to be related to his service-connected right ankle disability. Service connection for chronic lumbar back strain with mild disc narrowing is granted, but the claim is moot due to a current temporary total evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition and assigned a 50% rating for his tension headaches. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded as part of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to obtain federal records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service fall have not been considered, and a VA examination is needed to address the possible nexus between the Veteran's in-service duties and his current bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's current left knee disability is etiologically related to his active service, specifically due to aggravation by activities during his period of active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his right knee arthritis and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's left knee replacement, tear of the meniscus with a large popliteal cyst, and osteoarthritis are related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied the remaining issues of increased ratings and secondary service connection. The Veteran is still seeking higher ratings for his back, left knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, tinnitus, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the grant of service connection for left knee disability is September 4, 1991.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current disability in the claimed conditions. The VA examiners provided clear and persuasive opinions that the current conditions are not related to service.