Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, left knee osteoarthritis (to include as secondary to right knee disability), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression). The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his hip and knee disabilities due to outstanding medical records and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right knee replacements, lumbar degenerative disc disease, plantar fasciitis, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted effective October 1, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for right knee strain, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired eye disability. The Veteran's right knee condition is not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. His pes planus was noted at entry but did not increase during service. Service connection for his acquired eye disabilities is also denied as the pre-existing conditions were not shown to be aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and low back conditions, but has remanded the issue of service connection for neck condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left and right knee replacements due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to his active service, specifically his cargo-lifting work as a loadmaster.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of chondromalacia patella, left knee due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees prior to June 8, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and further testing is needed for proper adjudication of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the Veteran's mood disorder and has determined that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The right knee disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and left knee disorder. The case is remanded for further examination regarding a back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current left knee disability, headaches, and sleep problems are related to his service.

The Veteran's mild facet arthropathy (claimed as low back injury) and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, left knee replacement, right knee replacement, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are denied service connection.

The appeals regarding the rating reduction for left knee and higher disability ratings for right knee have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral total knee replacement and lumbosacral strain have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience since March 1, 2011.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened and the claim is granted to this extent only. The other issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The right knee disability is remanded and will be evaluated separately.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.