Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including arthritis of the elbows, hands, knees, feet, and low back. The evidence received since the December 2012 rating decision supports a finding that these conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stage three kidney failure has been reopened, and the rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome remains at 10 percent. The rating for left elbow epicondylitis is still at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, finding no chronic disabilities in his service records. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions with an effective date of June 30, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to in-service injury.,For the groin muscle disability claim, the Veteran's diagnosis was not confirmed by medical examination. The Board found that he does not have a current groin muscle condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hip disability, spinal curvature (spine disability), and bilateral knee disability due to lack of a nexus opinion. The Veteran's representative asserts that the June 2018 VA opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective May 2, 2005. The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance was granted effective April 3, 2006.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted due to the lack of evidence showing more than limited motion.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right knee and left shoulder disabilities. The claim for service connection for left shoulder disability, which is secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability, was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right knee disability, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to left shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder impingement, low back condition, left knee condition, dry eye syndrome, restrictive airway disease, and hiatal hernia should be remanded due to a lack of in-service complaints or treatment. The Veteran was not afforded an opportunity for a VA examination as his service records show complaints and treatments for each disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee degenerative arthritis as well as atopic dermatitis prior to February 13, 2015, and on or after that date have all been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and right knee disorder. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations to determine current diagnoses and associated impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claim for a TDIU rating prior to June 9, 2009, is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and right wrist disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of left knee, right knee, thoracolumbar spine disabilities and acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for a right knee disorder, higher ratings for left knee ligament laxity and limitation of flexion due to traumatic arthritis (left knee), and a compensable rating for residuals of left ankle talus fracture are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to work due to functional limitations. The Board finds that further examination is needed to assess these effects on employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and will provide a new examination for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.