Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the reduction in the rating for chronic lumbar spine strain, entitlement to a higher rating for posttraumatic ankylosis of the right ankle, and entitlement to a compensable rating for chronic right knee strain.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability warranted a rating greater than 10 percent prior to May 18, 2017 and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion from May 18, 2017. The tension headaches were rated as 30 percent disabling effective May 18, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent effective March 1, 2013. The VA Board has now restored the 20 percent evaluation for the period from March 1, 2014, to April 3, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and arthritis of the ankles, knees, cervical, and thoracolumbar spine as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and tinea versicolor. The Veteran's lumbar spine and left knee disorders were not shown to be related to his active service, and the tinea versicolor was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and meniscal tear with locking, pain, and effusion, was found to meet the criteria for separate 10 percent ratings for limitation of extension and instability prior to April 26, 2017. The Board also remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding his current left knee disability severity and its impact on employment.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury. The lumbar spine strain issue is remanded as the VA examination was inadequate.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, these issues are remanded as additional development is needed to determine the current severity of PTSD, etiology of sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, nature and etiology of bilateral knee disorders, and whether a TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as a total right knee replacement, is granted service connection due to aggravation by her service-connected Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease with left hip deformity and degenerative changes status post-total hip replacement. The earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left foot drop with left sciatica is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's knee injuries are being reviewed again with additional information from his doctors.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied because it is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed to be so related.,The Veteran's left knee disorder is denied because it is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed to be so related.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and right hip disorder due to potential functional impairment and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's right hallux valgus, right knee instability, left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage, and GERD conditions have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a 30 percent rating for his GERD.

The appeal for service connection of a right knee disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his military service. The Veteran needs to provide medical records and a supplemental opinion from a treating physician.

The Board previously denied service connection for a left knee disorder, and the Court remanded it. The case is being returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 7, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The Board also remanded issues regarding a separate evaluation for right knee degenerative medial meniscus and limitation of extension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of right knee injury are related to service. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and continuity of these conditions during service, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of right knee injury (secondary to service-connected right ankle disability) have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee, shoulder, and back disabilities.