Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, which may be related to his service-connected left ankle sprain, foot metatarsalgia/plantar fasciitis, and/or left knee, post-operative, lateral instability.

The Board has denied service connection for gout of the right foot and left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for chronic ingrown toenail of the right 5th toe, PTSD and major depressive disorder, and a right foot injury have been dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for left knee arthralgia, right knee arthralgia, left ankle arthralgia, and right ankle arthralgia have been granted. The appeals for these issues are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot injury is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right knee disorders due to insufficient evidence in some areas.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee osteoarthritis prior to January 16, 2014 was rated at 20 percent, while the left knee status-post total arthroplasty since March 1, 2015 is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) should be provided to address new VA medical treatment records, SSA disability records, and VA examination reports. The claims for right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and left knee DJD are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of an extraschedular rating for left knee disabilities and a TDIU claim due to incomplete claims forms. The Veteran was provided with VA Form 21-526EZs to file service connection claims for right knee, left hip, GERD, and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis and autoimmune disorder has been reopened, but the claims are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to active service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right shoulder disability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar strain, left knee strain, right knee scars, bilateral hearing loss, and adjustment disorder with anxiety. The VA treatment records from December 2014 to the present are requested.

The appeal for a higher initial rating for right shin splints is dismissed. The claims of service connection for left knee disability and left shin splints are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the award of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus severed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, including a torn biceps tendon and a torn rotator cuff, as well as a torn meniscus of the left knee. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to July 10, 2008.,A higher rating for the cervical spine condition is denied beginning July 10, 2008.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability received a 10 percent initial rating. A higher rating is denied.,For her left knee disability, a 10 percent rating was granted prior to February 13, 2018. A higher rating is denied beginning from that date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of spermatocele removal and right inguinal hernia are granted. The left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the OSA and asthma at 50 percent, and hypertension remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee disability, thyroid disability, allergies, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of service connection are being remanded due to the absence of VA examination reports and outstanding treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative joint disease of the left knee due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his breathing problems are not. The other conditions have been denied due to lack of in-service stressors or no current disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for service connection for various foot and knee conditions, including bilateral shin splints, ankle disorders, pes planus, and low back disorder.