Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, but the case is remanded for an increased disability evaluation for right knee surgery and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for left and right groin disabilities, hypertension and headache disabilities (secondary to service-connected lumbosacral spondylosis and degenerative disk disease), right ankle disability, left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, right knee disability, and neck disability.,Further development is needed for these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the introduction of new and material evidence. However, the claims remain pending as they are being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and additional service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or more. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from January 1, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain, ankle disorders, and foot disabilities. The Board also denied his claim for service connection for headaches secondary to hypertension.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the criteria based on his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is granted for left knee disability, left ankle disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 are rated as appropriate. Service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection is denied for tinea versicolor of the face and head, right elbow disability, and left wrist disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left foot hallux rigidus, hypertension, a left knee disability, residuals of an aneurysm and TBI, scars, degenerative joint disease of the right first metatarsal phalangeal joint status post total joint replacement with a metal prosthesis (claimed as right foot degenerative disease), and lumbar disc degeneration. The remand is due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence being added to his case file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome disability rating was reduced to noncompensable, but the reduction is void ab initio due to inadequate examination. The prior 40 percent disability rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome has been restored.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, undress himself, keep himself clean, adjust prosthetic appliances, feed himself, attend to the wants of nature, or protect from hazards. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, high cholesterol, chronic conjunctivitis, and psychiatric disabilities were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, painful limited motion of the right knee, instability of the right knee, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and plantar fasciitis of the left foot before specific dates. Other claims for service connection or increased ratings were remanded.

The Veteran's initial 100 percent rating for mood disorder is granted, and the effective date of September 15, 2010 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38 of the United States Code is also granted. The increased rating for left knee disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability claims are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current chronic headache disability, and his right and left knee disabilities are not related to in-service injuries.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with current cervical, lumbar, and bilateral knee disabilities. However, these conditions were not shown during service or within one year of separation. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a chronic headache disability.

The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disorders, as well as lumbar and right knee osteoarthritis, have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,For the period prior to September 8, 2017, the Veteran’s lumbar osteoarthritis was not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has found that the Veteran's post-service treatment records are not available and have ordered additional efforts to locate them. The claims for service connection, new and material evidence to reopen, and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss are all remanded.