Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination of the Veteran's left knee instability.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis due to changes in his symptoms and the time since his last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of any current bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's representative requested a medical opinion, and the examiner must determine if the current knee disability is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted service connection effective December 5, 2011. The claim for left big toe amputation compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied due to lack of evidence showing negligence or fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right knee disorder is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board will obtain a new VA examination that includes specific tests and assess the Veteran's functional ability during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection were properly filed on November 15, 2011. Effective dates of November 15, 2011 have been granted for all disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with multiple areas of spinal disc herniations was denied. The right knee strain and ankle disabilities were granted increased ratings, but the limitation of flexion in the right knee remains at a compensable level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue of the right knee disability will be remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and residuals of a left index finger injury due to incomplete records from his Army National Guard service. The case is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury with memory loss is denied as he does not have such residuals. The claims for PTSD, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, thoracic spine scoliosis (claimed as trauma to the spine), and left ear hearing loss are all remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability of status post medical meniscectomy and chondromalacia, but denied service connection for a lower back disorder.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected right knee instability and granted a separate compensable rating for the Veteran's semilunar cartilage condition. The right knee instability was rated as slight throughout the appeal period, while the semilunar cartilage condition resulted in frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been reopened. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during active service.

The Veteran's depression is not a separate disability from his PTSD. The right radial nerve paralysis warrants a 50% rating since November 14, 2016. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disorders, as well as a left knee disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied extensions of temporary total ratings for convalescence following surgeries on June 10, 2013 and September 20, 2013, as the evidence did not show severe postoperative residuals or immobilization by cast.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an initial rating for adjustment disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral arthritis, is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.