Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions need further examination to determine if they are related to an in-service injury, as his STRs do not document this incident.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability status post total left knee replacement was reduced from 40 percent to 30 percent, but the RO restored the 40 percent rating effective April 1, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions, including numbness of the right upper extremity, left elbow numbness, right knee disability, back condition, left knee condition, and skin disorder. As a result, all these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right knee conditions, nor did it establish that he was unable to work due to these conditions alone.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance in 2014 is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and incomplete records. The Board requires a clinical review of the Veteran's braces and capsaicin cream use, as well as additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, resulting in total left knee arthroplasty, is rated at 60 percent from July 1, 2013 to July 22, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disability and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a right leg skin condition are all remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, back, hip, and numbness disorders. The issues have been returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed. The issues of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee arthritis, but denied service connection for his left shoulder osteoarthritis. The left knee condition is related to service due to a motor vehicle accident (MVA), while the left shoulder condition is not.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee degenerative joint disease. Service connection is also granted for lumbar spine disability, but the appeal regarding this issue was remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for glaucoma and erectile dysfunction, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a relationship to service. The claims for degenerative disc disease, thoracic back fractures, left hip strain, right hip strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition, right knee condition, sleep apnea, and headaches due to lack of evidence or insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several claims due to new evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left and right knee disabilities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees. The decision also remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the left foot.