Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to December 27, 2016 is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to this date. However, beginning December 27, 2016, a 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee are being remanded due to need for additional medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as a compensable evaluation for his left wrist radius fracture status post open reduction in internal fixation, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residual scarring of the left wrist. The evidence does not support these claims.,The Board found no current diagnosis of a left or right knee disability, and denied service connection based on lack of proof of a present disability.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis, painful motion with extension of the knee, and instability were granted separate ratings of 10 percent each prior to April 2, 2014. The total replacement of his right knee was granted a disability rating of 40 percent starting from June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow, left knee, and postoperative right knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development due to the length of time since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds there is new and material evidence to reopen his claims.,Service connection has been granted for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for joint pain (arthralgia) to the right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee that is due to a diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness of unknown etiology. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia is presumed to have caused his joint pain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence, including lack of VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and service connection for his lower back disability are remanded due to inadequate examinations, incomplete medical records, and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include determining whether new evidence was received to reopen a claim, as well as evaluating various conditions such as tinnitus, rotator cuff disorders, arthritis, Gulf War syndrome, joint pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory disorder, fatigue, skin disorder, knee tendonitis, ankle disorders, and others. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded to allow for further review and examination.

The Veteran's claims for right ankle, left knee (status post meniscectomy), and skin disorders have been reopened. He is now entitled to a noncompensable disability rating for his service-connected residuals of a left heel bone spur.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disorder have been reopened due to new evidence. However, service connection has not been granted for either condition.,Service connection was denied for the acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no evidence of a diagnosis in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new examination to consider pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing. The RO must also address whether separate compensable ratings should be assigned for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee DJD with laxity was denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain, bilateral foot pain, right ring finger condition, sinus infection, and thyroid condition due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as further VA examinations are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability had limitation of motion for which a 20 percent rating was warranted prior to September 22, 2016. The claim is being remanded due to lack of adequate VA examination findings and need for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability and instability are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination reports. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has decided to remand several cases due to the receipt of additional medical evidence. The Veteran is required to provide information about all healthcare providers who have treated him for his disabilities, and VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a right foot disability, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities are not linked to service.