Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for sleep disability, erectile dysfunction, left knee disability, right knee disability, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete information in the examination reports, including lack of range of motion testing and instability assessment. The Veteran is also required to provide VA with his VA rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 10 percent rating for the period before August 27, 2014. The claim for ratings in excess of 40 percent from August 27, 2014 until February 5, 2016, and for ratings in excess of 10 percent from February 5, 2016 until October 25, 2016, was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent from October 25, 2016 is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine disorder (back disorder), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, toe disorder, and bilateral foot disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's left knee condition was rated at 10 percent prior to September 13, 2016 and then increased to 30 percent effective September 13, 2016. The case is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including ankle sprains, knee disorders, shoulder disorders, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision found no current disabilities that could be linked to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees (bilateral knee disability). The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, including as secondary to patellofemoral syndrome, was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of arthritis and concluded that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability and refractive error, pinguecula (loss of vision and vision problems), reopening previously denied claims. Service connection for residuals of head injury is not granted.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for a right leg disability, including crepitus of the knee and/or lower leg, as well as a knee disability is remanded due to additional development needed. His claim for left leg condition will not be addressed on appeal.

The Board has decided that additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left ankle, left knee, and toe disorders. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's enlarged thyroid is not compensable due to lack of findings or symptoms attributable to the condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral knee pain and granted it. The claims for flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), a pain disorder, heart disease, carotid artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and insomnia are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination for increased ratings of left knee osteoarthritis and right knee traumatic osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities have been partially granted, with some issues being denied. The TDIU claim is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The claim of service connection for chronic lumbar strain has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability results in an altered gait, which may affect his back and left knee conditions.