Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment history and lack of updated VA treatment records. The Veteran is currently employed as a security guard, but his TDIU claim must be further developed by obtaining updated application details and any relevant vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has granted service connection for medial meniscus tears of both knees and a right ankle disability, but denied service connection for a left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for post traumatic arthritis (PTA) in both knees due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support finding that the left knee disorder began during service or was related to service, and the Veteran's hearing loss disability met the criteria for a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes is deferred until his psychiatric disability claim is adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 22, 2010 was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis, postoperative scar of the right knee (SP arthroscopy), and lumbar spine condition have been rated. The rating for right knee arthritis is denied as it does not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee and lumbar disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which she contends were aggravated by her active military service.

The Board has found that remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for osteoarthritis of his left and right knees with limitation of flexion and extension due to lack of a statement of the case (SOC) addressing these issues, as well as for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disorder, and higher ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities affecting both the sciatic and femoral nerves are being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his diagnoses and etiology. Effective dates prior to November 16, 2012, for the assignment of 20 percent ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities affecting the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee has been rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion since October 1, 2012. The rating was increased to 30 percent for limitation of extension from November 24, 2009 through September 30, 2012 and then decreased back down to 10 percent on and after October 1, 2012. The left knee has been rated at 10 percent since October 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including swollen left hand, chest pain, TMJ, right and left knee disabilities, abdominal disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, and right arm disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to her service-connected left hip disability, and thus remands the case for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability and left knee disability due to insufficient examination findings regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's alcohol dependence and polysubstance abuse are not service-connected as they resulted from his own willful misconduct.,His bilateral hip arthritis is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of discharge and there is no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial increased rating for tinnitus due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection and ratings for various disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied service connection for left shoulder and knee disorders. The effective date of the grant is January 12, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, right hip strain with degenerative joint disease, and right knee strain were granted effective November 17, 2006.,An additional 10% evaluation for limitation of adduction of the right hip was granted effective October 30, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The Board will determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining employment.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted service connection. The rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 9, 2016 remains at 10 percent and after that date is denied.