Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting further examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and wrist disabilities.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and left knee disabilities. The cases are remanded for further development to determine the appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as service connection was reopened.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia), bilateral flat feet, left hip disability, right hip condition, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, heart condition, and erectile dysfunction is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate for adjudication purposes and has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service.

Service connection is denied for a right knee disability, hypertension, and tinnitus.,Effective dates prior to October 2, 2015, are not warranted for service connection of migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, heart disease, nephropathy (claimed as bilateral kidneys), and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal of the right knee disorder issue has been dismissed. The left knee degenerative changes issue is remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions, but the cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an extra-schedular rating for his right knee disability and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, private treatment records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) income records. The Veteran will also be provided with another VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to her claimed left shoulder injury, left arm condition, right knee injury, cervical strain, or lumbar strain. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and procedural issues. The claims include service connection for various conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, sleep disorder, MDD, and GAD), hiatal hernia, GERD, PUD, chronic colitis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of both hips, degenerative joint disease of both knees, degenerative joint disease of both feet, conjunctivitis, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability due to permanent aggravation by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis was denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension from February 23, 2010 to November 8, 2015. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for instability throughout the appeal period. For the period beginning January 19, 2018, a higher rating in excess of 40 percent for left knee osteoarthritis is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence of a connective tissue disorder, which may be related to in-service chemical exposures. The VA will obtain additional medical records and personnel files, clarify his Persian Gulf veteran status, and schedule an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, chronic headache disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including a lack of examination records and potential pre-existing conditions. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records from Centinela Hospital.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disabilities and considering functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement does not prevent him from performing daily tasks and thus he is not in need of aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scars are rated as noncompensably disabling, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative joint disease is denied.,The Veteran’s right knee disability remains at the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a right knee disorder, and entitlement to increased ratings for DDD of the lumbosacral spine and GERD.