Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for erectile dysfunction was reopened, but not granted due to lack of evidence showing it is proximately caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for osteoarthritis (right knee) is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee replacement disability remains rated at 30 percent, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left foot disability. The remaining issues have been remanded due to lack of medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right knee strain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion with pain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 23, 2014 for the assignment of a 20 percent evaluation for right knee strain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 23, 2014 for the assignment of a 10 percent evaluation for right knee limitation of flexion with pain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including verification of all periods of service and obtaining any missing service treatment records.

The claim for service connection of various conditions, including a right knee disability and bilateral knee disabilities, is remanded. The Veteran's PTSD rating and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, left foot crush injury residuals, residuals of fractured ribs, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome remain denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, left foot crush injury residuals, residuals of fractured ribs, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome remain denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim of service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and has also granted service connection on a secondary basis due to her service-connected right hip disability. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left knee disability is proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected right hip and right sciatica.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the service connection for degenerative joint disease, right knee and the initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals, left proximal tibia stress fracture with degenerative changes, left knee. The Veteran's right knee condition is being examined again due to a lack of examination addressing secondary service connection, and his left knee disability needs another examination as it has worsened over time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the Board has found that new and material evidence was received to reopen his right knee disability claim. The Veteran is also granted service connection for left hand and mental health conditions. However, the Board has remanded cases related to right hip and shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, with a focus on secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis in the neck, left hand, right hand, left knee, right knee, and both feet. The Veteran was granted service connection for sleep apnea and headaches.,New and material evidence was not received to reopen a claim of service connection for restless legs (claimed as bilateral leg pain).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to a lack of adequate VA examinations, incomplete records, and need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. However, the claims for a right knee disability, sinus condition, and thyroid disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's right knee instability and left hip disability have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded several issues including right shoulder disability, left knee disability, OSA, left hip disability, and left lower extremity neurological disability.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a causal relationship to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in the October 2017 VA contract examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for instability of the left knee associated with residuals of left knee degenerative arthritis and a medial meniscus tear, status post meniscectomy. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle traumatic arthritis is rated as moderate.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to new evidence showing a link between her current conditions and active service. The claim is granted as both knees are found to be related to service.