Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as well as the current severity of his right knee disability. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and right knee disability due to insufficient development of evidence, including missing service treatment records and lack of a definitive opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine, right ankle, left shoulder, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, left ankle, ingrown toenail, and headaches. The claims were reopened due to new evidence related to a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied a temporary 100% evaluation for left knee surgical convalescence beyond February 28, 2014. A rating of 20% was granted for the painful and unstable left knee scar. The issue of a rating in excess of 10% for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, essential hypertension, bilateral renal cysts, prostate disability, high cholesterol, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are inextricably intertwined with other issues, including TDIU. The Veteran's depression is remanded for a new opinion on causation and aggravation. His cervical and lumbar spine conditions, bilateral knee disabilities, and OSA are also remanded for additional examinations to determine etiology and severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and sciatic nerve injury, finding that there is no current disability to support these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye disability and remanded the claims of increased ratings for knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder has been granted. The claims for left hip, right hip, bilateral knee, and right leg disorders have all been denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present right and/or left knee and ankle disabilities, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection on this basis are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, lumbosacral spondylosis, and central serous retinopathy of the left eye have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a separate rating for laxity of the left knee has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's testimony at his July 2018 Travel Board hearing, which could impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to TDIU. The right knee and ankle disabilities will be evaluated again, and any changes in rating will affect the TDIU determination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back and right knee disabilities due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and coronary artery disease with ischemic cardiomyopathy, as well as a higher rating for his right knee disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined and will be remanded concurrently.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder. However, the issue of service connection for his left shoulder disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for optic neuropathy and cirrhosis of the liver, but has remanded the left knee disorder issue due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and foot conditions, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at a non-compensable level since the appeal period began. However, due to painful motion of both knees, which does not result in compensable limitation of motion, an initial compensable rating of 10 percent has been granted for each knee disability prior to July 24, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases due to ongoing complaints of wrist, neck, shoulder, ankle, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and epididymo-orchitis disorders. The case requires further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.