Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for a right knee sprain and an evaluation higher than 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tear. The hypertension claim is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-V.,The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome of the knees, left Achilles tendonitis, left elbow olecranon bursitis with spur, and right shoulder impingement with degenerative joint disease are all rated at 10 percent each.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all appeals.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disorders due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration and worker's compensation claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee, ear hearing loss, tinnitus, cardiac disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and carpal tunnel disabilities may be related to service. However, due to lack of medical evidence on record regarding these claims, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The highest schedular rating of 60% was granted for neurodermatitis, but no other condition received a positive decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The Veteran's vertigo disability is granted with a 30 percent rating. The remaining issues, including low back and left knee disabilities, migraines, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as noncompensable prior to November 15, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's right knee disability was rated as noncompensable prior to November 15, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran also had a limitation of extension for the period beginning on November 18, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability and a left knee disability, both claimed as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.,There is no evidence of a current bilateral hip or left knee disability related to service. The VA opinions found that any diagnosed conditions are not due to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee condition, sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and nightmare disorder).,The Court vacated the Board's decision on the increased rating for cervical spine disability and left ankle disability. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with PTSD.,The Court also remanded the claim for hypertension and acid reflux due to their relationship with PTSD. Additional development is needed regarding gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,The Veteran's representative noted that he was taking issue with VA examinations provided in January 2012 and June 2015, which would encompass the rating period for the 30 percent rating.,The Court also remanded the claim for an increased rating higher than 30 percent for cervical spine disability effective from January 2, 2014. The Veteran's representative noted that he was taking issue with VA examinations provided in January 2012 and June 2015, which would encompass the rating period for the 30 percent rating.,The Court also remanded the claim for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for left ankle disability. The Veteran's representative noted that he was taking issue with VA examinations provided in January 2012 and June 2015, which would encompass the rating period for the 30 percent rating.

The Board has denied all service connection claims except for the reopening of a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a right knee disability was granted. The effective date is set to September 11, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hand disabilities due to incomplete medical records. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant STRs, update clinical records of any treatment received since discharge, and arrange for examinations by orthopedists, neurologists/physiatrists/surgeons, and dermatologists.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, bilateral heel spurs, and mitral valve prolapse due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck, back, right knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the VA examinations and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot, knee, back, and hand disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of ratings for left hip bursitis and limitation of extension of the left thigh, both associated with his total right knee replacement, have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his service-connected left knee disability is granted with an effective date of October 23, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran had current right knee disability since the beginning of his claim and supports his assertion for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, left thumb disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination records.