Knee decisions — 2018

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

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and depressive disorder have been granted increased ratings, with the left knee receiving a 10% rating since July 14, 2011, and the depressive disorder receiving a 30% rating prior to September 24, 2014, and a 70% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and left knee disability have been granted service connection. The case has been remanded for further development regarding the left knee disability, including a new examination to address its relationship with his right knee disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder is granted. Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder, secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected right knee disability, is also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and patellectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered a remand to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left carpal tunnel syndrome. The cervical spondylosis claim is remanded for an addendum opinion to address whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected low back strain, and if so, whether it also caused or aggravated any other conditions listed in the issues section.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of recent VA examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding flare-ups and functional limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of discussion regarding certain evidence. The claims are now pending with instructions for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in several areas, including lumbar strain, left knee strain with shin splints, right knee strain with limitation of motion and shin splints, radiculopathy, left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The same is true for left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new knee examination. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and further clarification of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right and left knee joint osteoarthritis as they are not related to active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded as the VA examiner did not address whether it was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran contends that his left knee disability caused him to favor his right knee and put more stress on it, leading to arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA or private treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with his left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted as secondary to his service-connected lower back disability. His right upper extremity numbness is also granted as secondary to a service-connected condition, specifically his breast cancer. The Board has remanded several other issues including ratings for his lower back and radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the disability ratings for various knee and hip conditions, leaving no issues to be decided by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and rating determinations for further development. The Veteran is required to provide information about his treatment providers, obtain relevant VA and private records, and undergo examinations.