Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his in-service injury during basic training, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee arthritis was granted with an effective date of August 11, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board found that it did not warrant a compensable rating prior to March 9, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C was dismissed due to withdrawal of the issues by the Veteran at his hearing. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee injury was also dismissed as there is no evidence showing that VA's care caused an additional disability.

The Veteran's TMJ disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for chest pain, right wrist disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective April 17, 2012, and his claims for increased ratings for IVDS, right knee medial meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, and prior to April 17, 2012 are remanded.

The Board denied entitlement to extraschedular evaluations for service-connected right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the schedular ratings adequately described the Veteran's disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, liver damage, and a right knee disability were denied. The claim for service connection of the right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders, including a back disorder, left knee disorders, right knee disorders, left ankle disorders, and left elbow disorders. The decision also includes an issue regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons for the remand include the need to verify periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), provide a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions, and determine if any are related to the September 1987 motor vehicle accident.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and requests for new evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new VA evidence not being considered by the RO, and for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is proximately due to his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for esophageal cancer, right knee and back disabilities, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service or a service-connected disability. The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities, including limitation of extension and excision with arthritis, are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The issues of increased ratings for left knee instability and flexion limitation, and service connection for low back strain, are remanded.,VA is required to provide a VA medical examination if there is (1) competent evidence of a current disability or persistent / recurrent symptoms of a disability; (2) evidence establishing that an event, injury, or disease occurred in service; and (3) an indication that the disability or persistent / recurrent symptoms of a disability may be associated with the Veteran’s service. A new VA examination is needed for the low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, finding that further development is needed due to missing active duty treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and a right knee disability, including painful scars, as the evidence did not establish that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, including patellofemoral syndrome (PFS), finding that the Veteran's disabilities are as likely as not having started during active service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 13, 2009 is being remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and joint pain (knees and shoulders), but has remanded the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder.,Service connection is sought for a psychiatric disorder, with the Veteran alleging that his current condition may have not been formally diagnosed during service.