Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has ordered a remand for the VA examiner to provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The matter is being returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, hypertension, and a renal disorder including kidney stones. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other factors.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-operative residuals of a total left knee replacement, is rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2015. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and osteoarthritis, as well as partial rupture of the left Achilles tendon, all found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee condition, characterized as a meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 20 percent for the entire period of appeal. The Board has found that he does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on additional limitation of motion or instability. However, a separate 10 percent rating is granted for right knee instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right and left knee disabilities, PTSD, and hypertension. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee disability and seizure disorder was granted, with the left knee rating being 10 percent effective October 7, 2008. The decision also noted that the Veteran has been precluded from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and right knee disorder due to a lack of evidence during active service, but considering the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current knee issues and events or injuries during military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted service connection, and a 20 percent rating for his right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected right knee disabilities, including back and left knee conditions. The Board has determined that further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability on secondary basis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The claims are all granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions have been dismissed as the claims were withdrawn by her in June 2013. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck condition, left shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease, left upper extremity condition, right upper extremity condition, and left leg condition are being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative joint disease and bilateral knee chondromalacia patellae, finding that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a right knee condition due to the lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle arthritis, and left leg condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, asthma, or PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 31, 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, right foot planter wart, and skin rash. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these disabilities.