Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is granted. The effective date of the grant is August 13, 2018. The claims for earlier effective dates for end stage renal disease, left wrist disability, and left knee injury with limitation of extension are also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU on March 13, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The claims for service connection of right leg disorder, left leg disorder, sinusitis, and hypertension have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection of sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's current diagnosis is linked to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disorder, including as secondary to residuals of a non-displaced metatarsal left foot fifth metatarsal fracture, finding that there was no evidence linking any diagnosed left leg disorder to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which included osteoarthritis and previous ACL and meniscus repairs, was granted a 20% evaluation for the period prior to October 3, 2017. The decision also noted that her left knee status post total arthroplasty had been rated at 10%. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee, right knee, and left hand conditions due to lack of prior claims or communications.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of right knee disability is dismissed as moot due to the revision of the September 1983 rating decision on CUE. Service connection for various conditions including cervical spine, bilateral hip disorder, left leg condition, and psychiatric disorders are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in June 2015 are inadequate and requires a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back condition and bilateral knee conditions due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination opinions. The Veteran's symptoms need to be re-evaluated by an appropriate clinician who must consider all evidence, including his lay statements about symptom onset and continuity.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, below the left knee amputation, below the right knee amputation, renal failure, and heart disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left shoulder rotator cuff impingement and tendonitis, as well as left knee synovitis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensable disability ratings for right and left knee instability due to chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been granted. The cervical spine, left knee, right knee, and headaches (including migraines) claims are pending and need further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current abdominal disability or bilateral knee disability that is related to service. The claims for bilateral pes planus and talonavicular joint collapse are remanded as no opinion was provided regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service-connected plantar fasciitis. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for plantar fasciitis is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for gouty arthritis of both feet. The case is being remanded to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee arthritis, COPD, sleep apnea, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot gout.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection and rating for various conditions, as well as a hearing loss evaluation. The effective date for tinnitus remains November 3, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a left knee disorder, but has remanded it for further development due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current left knee disorders.