Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding treatment records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no diagnosed disability.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased rating based on limitation of motion or instability. The Veteran has consistently reported pain without additional loss of function during flare-ups, which is adequately compensated by his current 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for bilateral knee disability and a lack of VA treatment records. The Veteran's left ankle disability is not related to his current bilateral knee disability, but it may have aggravated his existing knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for his back brace is granted, as he reported that the brace caused wear and tear to his clothes. The claim for a knee brace is denied because there was no evidence of wear and tear on his clothes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was granted a 10% rating, but his claim for increased ratings is denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection of degenerative arthrosis of the left knee and periodontal disease with loss of teeth.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, left knee disability, and hypertension.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for headaches and left knee disability, but denied reopening of the claim for lumbar spine disability. Service connection is granted for headaches, but not for lumbar spine or left knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left knee arthritis and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to a left knee disability; a cervical spine disability; and an asthma/COPD disability. The Board found that there was no evidence showing cause or aggravation in service but rather that the evidence showed post-service injuries.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee ACL strain and chondromalacia, as well as right knee arthritis, chondromalacia, and patellar tendonitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about in-service injuries and persistent pain.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is granted service connection, while his left knee disorder and scar are denied. The Veteran receives a separate 10 percent rating for his left knee scar.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding no relationship between the current condition and active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, low back/lumbar spine disability, right shoulder, knee, ankle, and/or foot disabilities, and psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding his current diagnoses are not credible.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee status post meniscectomy, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his service, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities, including L5-S1 lumbar disc bulge and lumbar strain, as well as his right knee disabilities, including patellar osteophyte and right knee strain, are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hand disability (including CTS), and bilateral lower extremity disability (including neuropathy and radiculopathy) as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service and/or due to injuries sustained or aggravated during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the Veteran not showing up for a VA examination scheduled in December 2017. The case will be returned to the RO with instructions to obtain updated contact information and schedule another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a higher rating for orthostatic hypotension. The effective dates for service connection of Parkinson’s disease, tardive dyskinesia, and related conditions are remanded due to incomplete adjudication. Bilateral knee disabilities and schizophrenia are also remanded.