Knee decisions — 2018

Service connection for a left knee disorder is granted. A disability rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD is denied. Bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors. The conditions of interest include dental issues, hallux valgus of the feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right ankle condition, varicocele condition, low back condition, left knee condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headache condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The appeal is remanded due to issues related to a TDIU claim.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability and an increased rating for a left ankle disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, unclear medical evidence regarding pre-service knee issues, and the need for updated treatment records and an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as a psychiatric condition (unspecified depressive disorder), but denied service connection for high cholesterol. The decision also remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which has been rated as 100% disabling since August 3, 2006 and then reduced to 30% from November 1, 2008, is now granted a 60% rating effective November 9, 2017.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected due to aggravation during combat. The claim for higher ratings on the left knee disability prior to May 1, 2016, and thereafter remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee is rated at 10 percent prior to September 5, 2013, and at 20 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and low back disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports regarding flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of motion is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Left knee instability prior to October 27, 2016 was not granted as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and a bilateral eye disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and denied initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss, old crush injury of the right thumb, and right thumb scar status post old crush injury. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to April 16, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee and patellofemoral dysfunction with medial meniscal tear have not been characterized by moderate or severe recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less, or limitation of extension to 15 degrees or more. Therefore, an increased evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran’s lumbar strain disability remains at a 20% rating, with no changes in the current rating period.,The RO improperly reduced the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and postoperative lateral meniscectomy ratings. The original ratings of 30% and 10%, respectively, are restored.,The Veteran’s left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is rated at 20% for the period prior to September 25, 2015, and at 70% thereafter due to major depressive disorder (previously characterized as adjustment disorder with mixed mood).,TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, bilateral hip, left knee, and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, all secondary to a right knee disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral disc bulge, bilateral knee trauma, frostbite of the left hand, and frostbite of the right hand due to a lack of imaging evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.