Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee and left hip disabilities, as secondary to a claimed left knee disability. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is proximately due to or the direct result of his service-connected knee and back disabilities, thus granting service connection for depression.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The decision addresses increased disability ratings for various knee disabilities, service connection claims, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, hearing loss, and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his conditions are not directly related to his military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, finding that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 60 degrees or extension limited to 5 degrees in either knee.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to outstanding records not being obtained. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, tinnitus, and liver disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after service that could be linked to the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current extent and severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee condition and heart disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current left knee conditions, including arthritis, and whether they are related to his in-service injury. For the heart disability claim, an addendum opinion is needed to address pre-existence and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left knee chondromalacia and medial meniscus tear, including whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosed low back, left knee, right knee, or bilateral hearing loss disabilities. The Veteran has not provided evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions.,Service connection is denied as there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran’s current low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder. The right knee total replacement and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity claims are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for low back disorder, left leg disorder, diabetes mellitus, and whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, TBI, and a right-hand disorder due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms, including diverticular disease and irritable bowel syndrome, are considered service-connected due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability. The right knee instability is granted a temporary total rating based on surgery performed in January 2014.

The Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are denied service connection as they are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right clavicle fracture. A 30% disability rating for a fracture of the right malleolus with degenerative joint disease is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of response regarding potential motor vehicle accident records that may be relevant to the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are related to service, specifically his pre-existing femoral retroversion and genu valgum.