Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was granted, and the effective date is set at January 25, 2012.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss require further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cut on the stomach, residuals of a skull fracture (kicked in the head), and residuals of a fracture of the face and jaw. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability is denied. The Veteran's service-connected status post open reduction and internal fixation for left clavicle with residual left shoulder decreased mobility has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the left knee and status post right knee arthroscopic surgery with debridement are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient information in the medical examination provided. The examiner needs to clarify whether symptoms of knee and back disabilities exacerbate with use over time or during flare-ups, resulting in additional loss of range of motion.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, but denied service connection for cervical, right knee, left shoulder, and right hip conditions. The decision also remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability and an upper respiratory condition (including asthma) due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left ankle strain, myocardial infarction (coronary artery disease), PTSD, and left knee arthoplasty are all under review.

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's total left knee replacement from November 1, 2016. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee disorder, otitis media, sinusitis, hypertension, urticaria, thyroid cancer, and headaches. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is denied as not incurred in service. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder was granted a TDIU rating of 100 percent effective October 29, 2007. The increased ratings for left knee disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury, but denied service connection for a right knee disability. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the grant of service connection for residuals of a head injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The remand requires that a VA examiner provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current shoulder and knee conditions are aggravated by his right ankle disability or related to vaccinations in service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for GERD and a lumbar spine disability are dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for TDIU beginning November 5, 2010 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disorders. The decision is based on the evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The claims of service connection for IBS and stomach ulcer are dismissed. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted, but the rating assigned remains to be determined. The claims of service connection for left hip disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, sleep apnea, and seizure disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above claims.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints and right and left knee disabilities are granted with a rating of 20 percent effective November 6, 2007. The service connection for the knee disabilities is denied.