Knee decisions — 2018

The appeal regarding service connection for a right knee disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as residuals of a left-side mastectomy. The issue of service connection for residuals of a right-side mastectomy is dismissed due to the grant of service connection.,Service connection was granted for bilateral knee disabilities based on current diagnoses and in-service complaints.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, a left knee disability, and right and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's statements and medical records will be reviewed again.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 70% for PTSD, and in excess of 20% for both left knee and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's IBS is granted a compensable rating (10%) since January 1, 2012. A TDIU has been granted effective from January 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left knee replacement and for a total disability based on individual unemployability due to inadequate examinations in April 2016. The issues are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The criteria for higher disability ratings were not met.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of gastrointestinal, inguinal hernia, low back, or bilateral knee disabilities. The claims for these conditions are being remanded to allow for further development and potential clinical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disabilities were remanded due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity. The Board requested a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbar spine, IBS, bilateral ankles, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed neck, low back, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the listed conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a written statement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings, service connection for a left foot disorder, and sleep apnea have been returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis and asthma, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee strains. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are inextricably intertwined due to the need for additional development of his knee disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and/or bilateral foot disabilities. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or exposure to noise therein.,Service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis were granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to his left knee disorder.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection of right knee disability, depression, lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea. The initial ratings for left knee lateral meniscus tear and repair with arthritis and left knee instability as residual of lateral meniscus tear and repair were also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disorder, hepatitis B and/or C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder with alcohol dependence) have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.