Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. Service connection for a right hand disorder is denied.

The claim for service connection of the right knee disability is being remanded due to new evidence showing a current disability. The issue of aggravation by service-connected left knee disability will also be addressed as it impacts the temporary total evaluation.

The Board has remanded both issues: an increased rating for the left knee disability and a request for an earlier effective date for additional amount payable for the Veteran's dependent spouse.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and right total knee replacement are granted as service-connected due to in-service combat injuries.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to December 6, 2016, the Veteran's hypertension was rated as noncompensable. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder) is currently rated at 30 percent prior to December 6, 2016, and 70 percent from that date.,PTSD alone was not rated higher than 70 percent since it does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded both claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees due to new evidence submitted after the January 2015 statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left hip disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records indicate multiple shrapnel wounds during service in Vietnam.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected right knee disability, finding that the criteria were not met. The Veteran's current rating is based on malunion of the tibia and fibula with moderate knee impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is now service-connected for various conditions. However, further evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, and a remand is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Pes Planus, and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Knee, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Pes Planus, and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Knee, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, right knee strain with degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 1, 2012 for the grant of service connection for various disabilities was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible date allowable for the grant of service connection is the day following separation from active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has ordered remand on several issues including right knee disability rating, left knee and right ankle disabilities, back disability, and a right lower extremity disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran has bilateral knee DJD, including patellofemoral syndrome, which is granted as a direct result of service. Service connection for right elbow and left elbow disabilities are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee Baker's cyst, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and GAD) due to lack of current disability or evidence linking the conditions to service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.