Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and failed to complete the required VA Form 21-8940, which prevented the Board from assessing his employment status.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, including lateral instability prior to September 23, 2013, is remanded due to incomplete records. The VA examiner will differentiate the symptoms associated with the service-connected right knee disability from those associated with non-service connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but denied for a left knee disability.

The Board has denied reopening the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for a compensable initial disability rating for tinea cruris of the left ankle and for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome and external hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since her last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen and find that his right knee exostosis was incurred in service. The condition is rated at 100%.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee OSD and arthritis, DM (diabetes mellitus), sleep apnea, high blood pressure/HTN, left hand contusion residuals, frostbite of the right foot, frostbite of the left foot, neuropathy of the feet, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and chronic headaches. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.,The decision also noted that some conditions may be related to pre-existing conditions or other factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 10, 2011 for hallux valgus of the right foot and service connection for a left knee disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence showing the left knee disorder was related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left and right knee arthritis as they require additional examination to determine the current level of severity.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted service connection. Service connection for left lower extremity shin splints, left shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and coccyx disorder are denied. The bilateral hip disorders' service connection claim is remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied. The appeal is also denied as the Veteran does not meet criteria for a separate 10% rating for instability of the right knee, and he does not have ankylosis or other conditions warranting additional ratings under relevant Diagnostic Codes.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder because no VA examiner has opined whether the Veteran’s current right knee disorder is due to service. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, but denied service connection for a right knee condition due to the lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee internal derangement and tricompartmental osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations that comply with VA examination guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is granted.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, headache disorder, bowel disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) and bilateral shoulder bursitis.

The Board dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during or within one year after his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to the lack of current diagnoses, inconsistent reports from the Veteran, and insufficient evidence connecting any reported injuries or surgeries during service.

The Veteran's left knee replacement is rated at 30 percent since March 1, 2015. The Board has found the evidence does not support a higher rating.,For his ring finger conditions, the Veteran was granted a 20% rating effective February 18, 2016. However, he contends that the current ratings do not reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion.