Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for left knee medial meniscus tear and obstructive sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not support a link between the current conditions and active service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability was initially rated at 10 percent and has been rated as such since. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board denied service connection for psoriatic arthritis of the left knee, left elbow, left hand, and right knee. The claim for low back disorder was also denied. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability, specifically whether it was incurred or aggravated during INACDUTRA.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee scar and generalized anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service events. The AOJ is instructed to clarify when the Veteran believes an in-service injury occurred, obtain relevant medical records, verify his periods of service, and provide addendum opinions from appropriate physicians.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a higher rating for his left knee disability, with the exception of a separate 20 percent rating for frequent joint pain, locking, and effusion due to meniscal tear as of July 14, 2014. The other issues are denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability had its onset in service or was otherwise caused by his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disorder and an increased rating for his left knee disability. The Board found no evidence linking the current right knee disorder to service or service-connected conditions, and concluded that the left knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's left foot conditions, hallux rigidus, hammertoes, and her right knee and hip conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, and scars, meet the criteria for schedular consideration of TDIU since July 1, 2011. The Veteran is unable to work due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability were originally denied. The claims are now reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran, including testimony at his Board hearing regarding current treatment. The claims for service connection are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a head disability, an insect bite, and right ear hearing loss. The claim for reopening of the right ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for a back disability and a right knee disability are denied. The case is remanded for further examination regarding bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2013 and increased to 20 percent since then.,The Veteran's left knee condition has been rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. The Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent for his right foot osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back pain and bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and service connection for a right leg/knee condition due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the claim for service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the claim for hypertension. The Veteran's current right knee disability is presumed to have arisen in service, while his hypertension is presumed to have existed prior to service.

The application to reopen the claims for back disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral knee disability have been denied.,The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.