Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, epididymitis, and PTSD due to the passage of time since their last examinations and the Veteran's reported worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new evidence indicating an increase in severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left knee arthroplasty is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination that tests for pain and includes results of range of motion testing on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's left knee condition is being reviewed again as it may have existed prior to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and potential extraschedular considerations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, exercise-induced compartment syndrome of the legs, allergic rhinitis, GERD, or migraines prior to and after May 5, 2015. The Board also found that remand was necessary for further development regarding service connection for insomnia.

The claims for service connection of left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities have been denied.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) has also been denied.,An effective date earlier than April 28, 2015 for the grant of service connection for depression is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as secondary to PTSD and medication for a service-connected back disability). The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions in service that could be linked to current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral pes planus and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the grant of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, were denied due to lack of factual evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to January 13, 2016. The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to these decisions are also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right and left knee conditions was granted with separate evaluations of 10 percent effective January 15, 2016. His intent to file a claim for these conditions on January 15, 2016 is considered the date entitlement arose.

The claim for service connection of depression was granted in full. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome is denied. The claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar strain is related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left thumb disability has been granted a 10 percent rating, while his left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating. The claims for service connection of the lumbar spine, stomach disability, and scar residual are remanded due to new evidence. A separate additional rating is also requested for the left knee ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's 40% rating for left knee moderate osteoarthritis has been restored, effective August 1, 2011. The appeal regarding an effective date prior to August 1, 2011 is dismissed as moot due to the restoration of the 40% rating. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee, right shoulder, and left wrist arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran also received separate disability ratings for his left knee flexion, extension, and instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychological disorder (including PTSD and depression) are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance and housebound status. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records, arrange for an aid and attendance examination, and provide opinions on whether the Veteran needs regular aid and assistance or is permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded three separate claims for additional development due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being evaluated further.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities including left shoulder, right shoulder, back, left knee, and bilateral eye conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.