Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection claims due to lack of timely appeals.

The Board has determined that the current VA examinations of record are inadequate for evaluating the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and requires a new examination to assess loss of range of motion during flare-ups, active and passive motions in weight-bearing and non-weight bearing positions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a right leg muscle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's current disabilities are being reviewed, but no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and left great toe disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 13, 2012 and 20 percent thereafter. His lumbar strain (low back disability) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A 10 percent rating has been granted for right knee instability since October 22, 2002. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied claims for service connection for arthritis of the right knee and a bilateral leg condition to include loss of feeling, tingling, and numbness associated with DDD of the thoracic spine. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected DDD of the thoracic spine was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow, right elbow, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. Service connection is also remanded for a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD).

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left knee, ankle, and foot disorders, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, and migraine headaches. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left leg disability, specifically whether it is related to a right knee injury in service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder due to new evidence. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for bilateral hearing loss are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his obesity, caused by his service-connected right knee disability, is a substantial factor in causing other disabilities. The claims for service connection for left knee, lower back, left hip, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, narcolepsy, amputation of left lower extremity, and right knee reconstruction surgery are not supported by the evidence. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted from November 27, 2017, forward.

The Veteran's left knee condition is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity, and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are related to his in-service parachute jumps. The tinnitus is linked to military noise exposure, and bilateral hearing loss is associated with service.

Service connection for MUCMI and an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder with stressor-related disorder are granted. The Veteran's symptoms include social isolation, anxious affect and mood, chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, hypervigilance, anxiety, suspiciousness, difficulty focusing, and suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's left and right knee strains have been rated at 40 percent since November 7, 2015. The most recent VA examination found that the Veteran's range of motion was limited to 30-44 degrees for both knees with painful motion, but no incoordination after repetitive use.