Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, have been rated at 10 percent each since December 1, 2008. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate based on the current functional limitations.

The Veteran's hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus are granted service connection, while his left foot blisters and calluses as well as right foot below-the-knee amputation are denied.

The Board has remanded both the lumbar spine osteoarthritis and bilateral knees claims due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a left knee disability, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2008 rating decision.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and bilateral knee disability are now rated at 20 percent each, effective September 25, 2018. A TDIU is granted from July 9, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, porokeratosis and tinea (previously fungal infection of the feet with jungle rot and trench foot), right and left shoulder disability, and left knee disability is granted. The effective date will be determined based on the evidence received prior to April 12, 2013.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection are not properly adjudicated based on the current evidence, and thus remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and denied increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis, total left knee arthroplasty, and postoperative right total knee arthroplasty prior to December 6, 2016 and from January 17, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and in-service parachute jumps.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 16, 2008 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain and left knee DJD, as well as his claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there was no in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied as there was no in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for her service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied due to the lack of evidence showing significant hearing impairment that would warrant such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for her service-connected hypertension is denied as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's HSV2, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and trochanteric bursitis, a left knee disability (patellofemoral pain syndrome), and ulcerative colitis are all found to have manifested during active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions but has also remanded the issues of service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and trochanteric bursitis, a left knee disability (patellofemoral pain syndrome), and ulcerative colitis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for gouty arthritis of the bilateral ankles and right knee, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or his service-connected hypertension and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including facial dermatitis, and his left knee disorder were denied service connection as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's retroactive payment based on a CRDP adjustment for the period from August 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012 was calculated and awarded correctly.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the condition did not manifest in service and was due to an injury sustained outside of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a restoration of a 60 percent rating for residuals of status-post right knee total replacement, effective October 1, 2015 is granted. The appeal for an initial compensable rating for scars associated with status-post right knee total replacement is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of information about functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left knee disability, and low back disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, particularly from the Veteran's National Guard service and his active duty periods. The case will be returned after further development.