Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gynecological disability was reopened, and the appeal is granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection for maxillary sinusitis is denied as there were no prior claims for this condition.

The Board previously granted 30 percent ratings for the Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion and extension. The current decision orders a remand to reconsider these issues after the June 2, 2016 Board decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 27, 2016.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are required for the Veteran's claims of low back disability, left knee disability, and sleep apnea. The issues will be remanded to allow for these examinations.

The Veteran's right knee instability and degenerative joint disease have not worsened to warrant a higher rating. The claim for a separate compensable rating for semilunar cartilage condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability, as the evidence shows that he continues to experience severe painful motion and weakness post-total knee replacement.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of sinusitis, depressive disorder, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left lower extremity chronic lumbosacral strain/sprain with sciatica are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone do not necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person on a daily basis.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims for various conditions, as well as a claim for an increased rating. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is being examined to determine if it is related to in-service dental trauma and/or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a new examination is necessary to determine its current severity.

The Board denied service connection for left hip disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, rhabdomyolysis, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and polyuria/dysuria as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or objective indications of such conditions during service.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings for right knee conditions prior to January 3, 2012 must be remanded as the RO did not consider evidence from February 2006 onwards.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's current left knee disability may be related to his service, but more evidence is needed to determine if he had a pre-existing condition before entering military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral knee disability as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other incidents that could have caused these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia. The case was remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's right ankle, right knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left elbow disorders.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher disability evaluations for service-connected left knee injury, right knee disability, and residuals of right ankle injury, post-operative as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis B, but the issues of service connection for left leg disorder, back disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions are related to military service.