Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and L3 to L4, L4 to L5, and L5 to S1 disc protrusion with radiculopathy as secondary to a left knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show a chronic condition related to military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee has been granted, but the maximum schedular rating has not yet been assigned. The Board is remanding the case to address a pending issue regarding a temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence for a left knee arthroscopy in December 2016.

The Veteran's left knee condition is being remanded for a new opinion on whether it is related to her service-connected non-union, right tibial tubercle. Her rating for the non-union, right tibial tubercle is also being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to various joint and musculoskeletal issues as well as tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, lactose intolerance, prostate cancer, and its residuals. The Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf is noted.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability was reopened and granted, while the claims for left knee disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and headaches were denied.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 4, 2011 for separate 10 percent evaluations for left and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence indicating worsening of his disabilities since the last examinations in December 2010.

The Board has found that an effective date prior to February 26, 2014, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for right knee derangement is not warranted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right knee are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The left knee disability claim is being remanded for a new VA examination, while the neuropathy of the left hand and hemorrhoids claims are also being remanded for additional development including obtaining service treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for right knee pain and found that new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran was diagnosed with chondromalacia patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee during service, which is considered a direct service connection.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorders. The first issue is about increasing her disability rating for left knee arthralgia, and the second is about increasing her disability rating for recurrent subluxation of the left knee. Both require a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-surgery for meniscal repair, is rated at 20 percent effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for residuals of the left knee gunshot wound and osteoarthritis of the left knee. The ankylosis of the left knee is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder strain, ankle and knee disabilities, back disability, and hypertension. The case will be remanded to obtain new VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the current ratings for the Veteran's right knee disability, which were granted in 2009. The Veteran needs a new examination and updated medical records to determine if his disability has worsened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking any present symptoms to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disorder is dismissed. Service connection is granted for both left and right knee disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of various disabilities and to obtain relevant VA treatment records. The claims for service connection are being remanded.