Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities due to his testimony indicating worsening symptoms and an inadequate previous examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and meniscectomy, is rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the case for further development to consider a TDIU due to employment difficulties.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship with service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a present disability under VA regulations. The Board finds that his current hearing status does not qualify him for compensation based on noise exposure in service.,The claim for tinnitus is granted as the initial onset occurred within one year of discharge and there is no evidence against it being related to service.,Barrett's esophagus is denied because there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship with service.,Left hand numbness is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship with service.,Right hand numbness is denied for similar reasons: no chronic condition during service and failure to establish a relationship with service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all claims related to pes planus, lumbar stenosis, tinnitus, and other service-connected conditions. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, particularly concerning their onset during service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as his increased rating claims. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for various knee disorders, hallux valgus, and hemorrhoids have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability may have worsened since the last VA examination in October 2015, and a new VA examination is needed to assess his current level of impairment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that his current bilateral knee disability is related to service, specifically aggravating his pre-existing Osgood-Schlatter's disease. However, the Board denied service connection as there was no evidence linking the current chondrocalcinosis to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and related disabilities have been granted a 70% disability rating, TDIU status, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, sciatica of the left lower extremity, neurological damage of the bilateral lower extremities (restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement), right knee disorder, left hip arthritis, and left knee chondromalacia patella. The claims are remanded for additional medical examinations to determine the current level of severity and any aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 9, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back disability, right knee disability, and migraine headaches due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's complete STRs need to be obtained from all possible repositories.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back, bilateral hips, and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are also remanded as there is inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis and hearing loss are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection, a rating increase, and TDIU. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a separate disability rating of 10 percent for left knee instability but has remanded other issues including right knee condition, acquired psychiatric disability (Bipolar Disorder), and TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected injury to Muscle Group XIV. His PTSD and GSW residuals are not rated higher than the current levels, but he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right femoral fracture with patellofemoral syndrome was aggravated by service, specifically during a December 2004 knee surgery. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a need for clarification on whether pain significantly limits the Veteran's left knee function during flares or repetitive use.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of right knee arthritis has been reopened, and a 50 percent evaluation is granted. The appeal regarding other issues remains pending.