Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent effective June 5, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service connected. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD, is reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claim for service connection for strep throat is remanded. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and he has been granted a separate rating for residuals of meniscus repair. The appeal regarding secondary service connection for hip and lower back conditions is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain. The issues of service connection for seizures, left temporal lobe disorder, memory loss, and vision problems are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and lumbar strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, chronic bronchitis, and a psychiatric disability were denied in January 2004. The effective date for the award of service connection is set at January 7, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 20 percent for his ankle sprains and major depressive disorder with anxious distress are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with an initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder. Service connection is also granted for bilateral pes planus and limitation of extension right knee and patellar dystrophic calcification right knee. The claim for lower extremity restless leg syndrome is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim for residuals of pneumonia, alternatively claimed as a lung disability, is reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions and the need for new medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions due to incomplete examinations and lack of entrance examination prior to the Veteran's second period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including knee and hip issues secondary to a right ankle condition, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals. The remaining claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection.

The RO reduced the ratings for several service-connected conditions, but found that the reductions were not supported by evidence of actual improvement. The case is remanded to determine if there has been an actual change in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary life conditions.

The previously-denied claims for lower back disability and bilateral eye disorder are reopened, but the other claims remain pending.,The Veteran's current eye disorder is related to her in-service exposure to blowing sand and use of Visine. A VA examination is needed to determine if it is due to Persian Gulf War service.,VA will obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran has bilateral knee disabilities, including a history of an acute injury during service.,A VA examination is required to assess whether the Veteran's current joint pain is related to her Persian Gulf War service. A medical opinion should be obtained regarding this issue.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if she has any objective manifestations of cold injuries from service, and a medical opinion should be provided on this matter.,A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran has a current gynecological disorder related to her in-service treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. A medical opinion should be obtained regarding this issue.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if she currently suffers from chronic headaches that are related to service, including an in-service head injury.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left knee disability. Service connection for asthma is remanded due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The claim for a separate rating for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, were denied service connection. The Board found that the conditions did not manifest to a compensable degree in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,There is no evidence of arthritis in the knees during service, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or authorization, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee disorder, left elbow disorder, and left thumb disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The appeal is also remanded for further examination regarding a left thumb disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as they do not prevent him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and bilateral wrist conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them during his hearing. The claims for increased rating for status post left knee replacement and neck condition are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disabilities claimed as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the service-connected condition.