Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been reopened. The evidence now supports the possibility that these conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral leg disorder and left knee injury are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain. The left knee disability is rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral wrist, hand, knee, and ankle disorders are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The claim for service connection for a sinus disorder characterized by nosebleeds is remanded with consideration of exposure to dust storms and burn pits. The claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities is remanded with consideration of in-service treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, right wrist disability, bilateral knee disability, and sleep apnea. The claim of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) because the Veteran's right knee disability did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected right total knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as there are no chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and DJD, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and DJD. Service connection was denied for bilateral myopia, hypercholesterolemia, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's knee braces, which are fabric-covered and do not have exposed metal hinges, were denied an annual clothing allowance in 2014 because they do not tend to wear or tear the veteran’s clothing.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, residuals of TBI, and colon cancer as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and seizure disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, respiratory condition, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellofemoral arthrosis, was aggravated during his period of active service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, hip, knee, and back disorders due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service. The Veteran's leg length discrepancy is considered a congenital defect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to the service-connected right knee tendonitis was granted. However, his request for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendonitis and arthritis with limitation of flexion was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current condition is more likely related to pre-existing conditions and not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective October 13, 2017. The claims for service connection of other disabilities are remanded.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection of bilateral ankle disability and bilateral knee disability is granted. The claim for increased rating of spine disability is also granted, with a specific rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and auditory disabilities, as well as a claimed psychiatric disability. The appeals are due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.