Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a disability. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board dismissed the claims for chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for DJD of the left knee and denied the claim as there is no evidence that his current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to lack of current diagnoses. The claims are remanded as the Veteran's TBI and headache disorder need further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at a 10 percent rating prior to September 18, 2014 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) claims are being reviewed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his residuals of fracture of left third and fourth metatarsals do not warrant a separate compensable rating. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis is granted. The appeal regarding the secondary service connection for a left knee condition is dismissed.

The Veteran's Graves' Disease, acute bronchitis, and bilateral kneecap dislocations are remanded for further development. Specifically, the AOJ is required to contact all likely sources that may contain information of the Veteran’s claimed exposure to radiation and complete a dose estimate if necessary. The AOJ must also arrange for an examination by an endocrinologist to determine the etiology of Graves' Disease and whether it was incurred during service or due to exposure to fumes from burning oil wells or ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukemia has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis/bone spurs and tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and sarcoidosis of the right lower lip. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors for PTSD, lack of VA examinations for other disabilities, and need for additional development related to exposure to asbestos.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as his back disability, all secondary to a service-connected bilateral ankle disorder.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service. The VA examiners have opined that the current diagnoses are more likely due to age and obesity.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities as there was no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's residuals of trauma, right knee, with arthrotomy and excisional medial meniscus prior to July 2, 2013.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a bilateral knee condition, back condition, and headaches. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of hearing loss meeting VA criteria. The claim for left ear hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including tendinitis and osteoarthritis, began during his last period of active service.,His right hand and left hand disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to service. The right hand disability was aggravated by service, while the left hand disability did not undergo an increase in severity during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is presumed to have existed prior to service and began during his last period of active service.,His right knee disability, including tendinitis and osteoarthritis, preexisted service but was aggravated by service. The left ear status post tympanoplasty disability began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back has been reopened, while his claims for left knee sepsis and bilateral hand disorder have been remanded. The effective date for a 50% rating for limited extension of the left knee remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain due to a need for further development. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current ankle and/or knee disabilities are causally related to active service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful extension from June 14, 2017. The case is remanded to determine if service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to diabetes mellitus can be established.