Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for right knee DJD and anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD, finding that the current conditions are not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability, bilateral knee disability, great right toe disability, and migraine headaches. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to address the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, as well as higher ratings for the Veteran's left foot status post bunionectomy and right foot hallux valgus. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in April and May 2017 without good cause.

The Veteran's internal derangement status post-surgical repair with scar and osteoarthritis, left knee is rated at 30 percent effective April 22, 2016. The right knee strain, status post meniscectomy with chondrocalcinosis, degenerative joint disease is rated at 30 percent effective April 22, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his TDIU claim from October 11, 2012 to July 12, 2017 was denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unemployable because of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2018 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, tinnitus, and LBBB. The Veteran's claim for left knee and right knee disabilities is also remanded. The effective date of the increased rating for LBBB remains August 28, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability and heart disorder to the AOJ for further development.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection of a heart disorder is also remanded. The AOJ must issue an SOC regarding whether the January 1960 rating decision was based on CUE.,The Board has again remanded the matter related to the January 1960 rating decision that denied service connection for a brain concussion and heart disease on the basis of CUE.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee chondromalacia, limitation of flexion, and instability due to missing VA treatment records and a need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his service. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if his current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and a torn meniscus, was rated at 10 percent for the period from June 3, 2010 to September 6, 2011. The rating is denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, right knee, and headaches disabilities. Additional development is needed to obtain workman's compensation records related to the Veteran’s claimed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, but remanded the issue of service connection for syphilis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on objective PFT results and medication use.,PFB is currently rated as noncompensable. The evidence did not show systemic therapy or more than five percent of exposed areas affected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chest pain and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right knee and left ankle sprain, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current symptoms and active service. The case was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of a service treatment record and an inadequate VA examination. A new VA examination is required.