Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disorder was denied. The evidence did not support an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of right knee lateral meniscectomy, to include a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 1, 2018, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter, is remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a separate compensable rating for episodes of joint pain and effusion. However, further development is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted under other diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including right shoulder tendonitis, right wrist tendonitis, right hip bursitis, and chondromalacia of the right knee, were denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease were granted a 30 percent rating effective from February 4, 2016. The other conditions remained denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as depressive disorder) are all granted. The Board found that the current conditions are related to his military service due to the nature of his duties.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence indicating that the disability may be associated with an event, injury, or disease in service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, hyperglycemia, alopecia, obesity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrists. Service connection was granted for Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the left knee, skin, and right knee disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues as they are dismissed.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a right knee injury and an initial rating for a right wrist injury. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for status post first MTP arthroplasty, left foot; obstructive sleep apnea; and a higher rating for mild left knee tricompartmental DJD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left knee DJD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, low potassium, and low calcium have been denied. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, hypertension, left knee condition, and right knee condition are REMANDED due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues including increased death pension benefit, service connection for right knee disability, service connection for lumbar spine disability, TDIU, and cause of the Veteran's death due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right knee disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military duties. The preponderance of the evidence does not support granting service connection for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease. The case is remanded for additional development regarding an initial rating for left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and right knee disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for heart disability, respiratory disease (COPD), cervical spine and thoracic spine disability, right wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and erectile dysfunction. Effective dates have been assigned for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.