Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a low back condition was denied due to lack of evidence of chronic disability.,Service connection for left knee disability is not granted as there is no current diagnosis.,Hypertension is not service connected as it did not begin during service and has no link to in-service events or diseases.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be service-connected, likely due to high-risk sexual activity while in service.,An earlier effective date of July 9, 2012, for the award of service connection for left eye conjunctivitis/ptosis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for limited flexion of the left knee due to arthritis is granted. The claim for instability of the left knee prior to February 28, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in evaluating the Veteran's right knee arthritis, specifically regarding the July 2016 VA examination report. The Court ordered a new examination to address functional loss during flare-ups or after repeated use.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee condition (also claimed as bilateral knee condition and right leg condition), hypertension, and hepatitis C due to inadequate examination opinions and outstanding service treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues regarding entitlement to service connection for left knee disorder, hypertension, a left ankle disorder, numbness of left hip, and numbness of right hip, each claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic post-operative meniscectomy of the right knee. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hip strain, and left knee disability.,The Board has also ordered additional examinations and opinions on whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability, and if so, whether they were aggravated by her right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's limitation of extension associated with left knee patellofemoral arthritis improved, leading to a reduction from 30% to 0%. The claim for restoration of the 30% rating was denied as there was no showing of improvement in disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for favoring a negative December 2015 VA opinion over conflicting evidence. The Veteran's right hip and knee disorders are being reviewed again as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for a left knee disability, but has remanded both the right and left knee disability claims due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to July 23, 2014 for service connection and a higher evaluation for her osteoarthritis, left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disorder, low back disorder, and peripheral vascular disease as secondary to a low back disorder. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining STRs, VA treatment records, and additional examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, left leg above-knee amputation, and end-stage kidney disease are all granted service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for the left knee condition and denied increased ratings for the right knee disability. The Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by pain, limitation of flexion to 90 degrees, and limitation of extension to 5 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of initial compensable ratings for cervical spine disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and right great toenail disability.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted service connection, but his right hip disability is denied as not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various foot, knee, and back disorders as well as fibromyalgia. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that her conditions began in service or were caused by any service-connected disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity sciatica, right hip strain, and left hip and left knee disabilities. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, hip disorders, knee disorders, and ankle disorders due to incomplete service treatment records. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and completing a VA Form 21-8940 to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.