Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted, and the claims of service connection for back disabilities are remanded. The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right knee disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, right wrist injury, right knee replacement, gout, and hip disability render him so helpless that he requires the aid and attendance of another person to perform daily activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities, but has remanded issues regarding knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

This decision reopens the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg condition, left elbow condition, and left knee condition. The claim for service connection for a back condition is remanded. The claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities is also remanded. The claim for service connection for a right knee condition (previously claimed as a right leg condition) is denied. The claim for service connection for a left elbow condition is denied.,Service connection for a right elbow condition is not granted due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence of functional limitation or identifiable condition.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to March 5, 2014. Since then, a separate rating of 10 percent for the right knee degenerative joint disease has been granted.,Right knee instability was also granted a separate 10 percent rating effective August 5, 2010.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding her service connection claims for osteoporosis and a left knee disorder, finding that there was no remaining case or controversy as to these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including spurring of the cervical and lumbar spine, bilateral knee condition with total replacements, left shoulder condition, elbow residuals, and bilateral foot condition. The decision was based on a lack of evidence establishing a relationship between these conditions and active military service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and depression, and his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for left knee disability, blindness in both eyes, psychiatric disabilities, decreased bone density, low back disability, and foot disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and award letters, pay stubs from Puerto Rico Army National Guard service, verify the exact dates of each period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA), and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature, initial onset dates, etiologies, and relationships between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease due to the need for updated and adequate examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or any link to service. The VA examiner concluded that the current left knee condition is less likely than not related to active duty.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately caused by her service-connected back and right knee injuries.

The Board has remanded the issues of propriety of reduction from 20% to 10% disability rating for right knee, increased rating for left inguinal herniorrhaphy, combined disability rating in excess of 50%, and TDIU due to incomplete development and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, bladder disability, skin disability, loss of teeth, chronic pain syndrome, blood clot on lungs, hypertension, and permanent incapacity were dismissed. The claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities are reopened but further development is needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include tinnitus, hearing loss, heel pain, ankle pain, knee pain, psychiatric disorders, GERD, stomach condition, headaches, lung condition, sinus condition, and throat condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability. The decision also denied an increased rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was denied as his flexion and extension were within normal limits, and he did not have instability or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.,For anxiety disorder prior to June 4, 2018, the Veteran was found to meet criteria for a 50 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inconsistencies in the severity assessments of the Veteran's knee disabilities and internal hemorrhoids. Additional evidence is needed, including VA treatment records since May 2016, and a new examination for both knees and internal hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board found that his condition did not meet the definition of ischemic heart disease.,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities was also denied. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s pre-existing bilateral knee conditions were less likely caused or aggravated by service.