Knee decisions — 2018

The claim for service connection of a right knee disability was denied. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and panic disorder) is granted as secondary to tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for Meniere's syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and instability have been rated as 10 percent disabling since November 1, 2012. The rating has not changed from the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and records. The Veteran is required to undergo examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes are not satisfied, as his flexion and extension were limited to 120 degrees and 0 degrees respectively with pain.

The Veteran's allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and bilateral knee condition are granted as service connected.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and PTSD, finding no evidence of in-service injury or stressor. The Veteran's diagnoses were established post-service.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, while his bilateral ankle disability is rated at 10 percent since April 25, 2016. The appeals for higher ratings were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his right knee, respiratory, and psychiatric disabilities. The RO is instructed to schedule examinations and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability and remanded it. The claims for chronic pain syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus, neurobehavioral effects secondary to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and psychiatric disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at a higher rate due to the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet, resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for lower back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's left knee meniscus tear with chondromalacia and lateral instability have not met the criteria for a higher rating, resulting in denial of his claims.

The Board has not reopened the claim of service connection for gout, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee arthritis. The Veteran's appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted and others were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and traumatic arthritis, as well as left knee degenerative joint disease. A new VA examination is needed due to incomplete information from the previous examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, finding that his military service caused this condition.

The Board previously denied an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia. The case is being remanded to obtain missing VA treatment records.

An effective date of August 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability and left knee disability secondary to his right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, headaches, and facial pain are all remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right calf, and left calf disabilities due to their potential relationship with the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of the right foot. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD remains on appeal.