Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his right elbow, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, including as secondary to her right knee disability, are denied. The Board has remanded the case due to issues with effective dates.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder. The claims for left hip, right hip, and audiological disabilities are denied due to lack of current disability or no evidence linking the conditions to service. The claim for a right ankle disability is denied because there is no evidence it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to a lack of complete service treatment records. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service parachute jumps are considered credible, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and headaches. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.,The VA examiners found no link between current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteophyte formation in the knees, and migraine headaches with any documented symptoms or injuries during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes limitation of extension, is now rated at 20 percent effective from April 18, 2016.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right knee disability were denied.,A compensable rating for the scar, post umbilical hernia repair was also denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability and right middle finger fracture are granted service connection, with a 10% initial rating for the right middle finger.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as appeals for higher ratings for his right knee and chronic fatigue syndrome, were dismissed. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis but denied any increase in the rating for sinusitis with headaches.

The Board has denied service connection for memory loss due to lack of objective indications of a distinct disability. The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is remanded as there are sufficient facts and circumstances to warrant an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total evaluation based on post-operative convalescence following his left knee surgery, finding that there was no need for further convalescence beyond May 31, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left knee disability, low back disability, and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service connection claim for non-Hodgkins lymphoma as secondary to Camp Lejeune exposure is granted. The claims for cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability is also remanded. The TDIU claim is raised by the record and must be addressed as well.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his active military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide credible statements regarding in-service injuries or continuity of symptoms after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be reviewed with a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), right knee disorder, skin cancer, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and gastritis are all granted service connection. The rating for the right ankle fracture residuals is 20%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes. The rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome is increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Reiter's syndrome and multiple knee disorders, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU for purposes of accrued benefits.