Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss in the right ear during the appeal period.,Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (rhinitis, asthmatic bronchitis, bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea), CAD, autoimmune insufficiency with orthostatic hypotension and memory problems, and hyperlipidemia is denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder is denied as the Veteran did not step foot in Vietnam or have other qualifying service. The Board found subjective arthralgia but acknowledged the Veteran's competence to report on his symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, an eye disability, and a bilateral knee disability as the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain and left knee DJD, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability. Additional evidence is needed from VA treatment records, and a new examination is required.

The claim to reopen service connection for a left eye disorder is denied. The Veteran's request for increased ratings on his left and right knee disabilities, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU, are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The left knee and psychiatric disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee osteoarthritis and limitation of extension are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury, status-post right knee replacement with residual scar. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for the residuals of a left hand fracture and sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee disability and diabetes mellitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, bilateral heel spurs, and initial compensable ratings for lumbar spine strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss and TBI were denied.

The Board has restored service connection for right foot strain and granted service connection for right ankle peroneus brevis and longus tenosynovitis (sinus tarsi syndrome), as well as service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, all found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected pain disorder with depression, right knee DJD, cervical spine disability, and migraine headaches with vertigo. The claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and PTSD have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the rating decisions for left and right knee subluxation, as well as the TDIU. The claims on appeal are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, arm (elbow) and knee disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to cold exposure during military service in Alaska.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability was granted.

The Veteran's mechanical low back strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, and right hip piriformis syndrome are all rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Veteran's left knee instability prior to November 6, 2017 is rated at 10 percent. From that date forward, his left knee instability is rated as 20 percent disabling. His right and left knee strains are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for his knee conditions and low back disability need to be remanded due to the Veteran being incarcerated.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis, chronic lumbar strain, left knee sprain, right knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral ankle strain, and generalized anxiety disorder. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to use of a motorized wheelchair (a Permobil Power Wheelchair) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his wheelchair tends to wear or tear his clothing.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right foot, tinnitus, and right sciatic nerve disabilities. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to service or due to exposure to herbicide agents.