Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and increased ratings for left knee conditions due to new evidence. The total rating case is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder has been granted, and the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, rating for right knee disability, and TDIU due to acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and right hip arthritis do not warrant an increased rating above 10 percent, as there is no evidence of functional loss or impairment due to flare-ups. The claims are being remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthrosis and right total knee replacement with osteoarthrosis, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient verification of service periods and a need for additional service treatment reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred in service and continues to this day, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any ankle, knee, foot, or peripheral vascular disease. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 2, 2016. Therefore, the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Retirement based on Unemployability (TDIU) prior to that date.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by instability and limited extension due to a meniscal tear, has been rated at 20 percent for instability and 30 percent for limitation of extension. The Board found that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, left knee arthritis with left leg shin splints, and right knee arthritis with right leg shin splints. The Veteran will be provided additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, headaches, and intervertebral disc syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence being added and not reviewed by the AOJ, and the Veteran's request for initial review of this evidence. The claim will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's right knee gout was granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective January 11, 2018. His hypertension and hepatitis B were both granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is related to an in-service injury and has been granted service connection.

Service connection is granted for mild degenerative changes of the thoracic spine and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.,Service connection is denied for laboratory results during service, to include homocysteine 9.8 range, high cholesterol, Tbil at 1.5, RBC low, low lymphocytes, high glucose, high globulin, low HGB, low HCT, leukocytoses and impaired fasting glucose, high PT, high WBC, low MPV, low VLDL, high nitrate positive, high INR, high IgE, low INR, hyperlipidemia, and high potassium.,An initial evaluation of 100 percent is granted for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and denied the Veteran's request for an increased rating for his major depressive disorder. The Veteran's right knee condition was not found to be related to service, and his major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain, anterior cruciate ligament repair of the left knee, and partial iliectomy of the terminal ileum with irritable colon syndrome are all rated as they should be based on their respective conditions. The initial rating for chronic left shoulder strain is denied, while a higher rating is granted for residuals of talus and ligamentous repair of the right ankle.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis was also denied as not warranting an initial compensable evaluation.