Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right shoulder, left hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and records. The issues of service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his service in Bosnia. His lower back disability is also related to his service, as is his left knee disability.

The Veteran's request for SMC based on aid and attendance was granted due to his service-connected right thumb disability. The claim for financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied as the Veteran does not have a qualifying disability under the regulations. Service connection for prostate cancer, secondary to testicular mass, is remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for tinea pedis and remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a prostate disorder due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claim. The right knee and bilateral foot disability claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, right forearm fracture residuals, right wrist disorder, and right ankle disorder. The diabetes claim is also remanded. VA treatment records from the 1980s are requested as well as any private medical records prior to 1988.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities and sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 18, 2011 and September 15, 2011 for his service-connected right hip degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension, flexion; right ankle degenerative joint disease; right knee patellofemoral syndrome; and left knee degenerative joint disease have been denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated as 30% for limitation of extension, and a separate 20% rating has been granted for dislocated semilunar cartilage. The left knee disability is rated at 10% for instability. No higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the Veteran's statements about her symptoms since service.

The Veteran's left hip and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,A higher rating for the Veteran's chondromalacia patella, left knee with severe degenerative joint disease (status post total knee replacement) is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knees disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic knee disorder in service and that any current osteoarthritis is more likely due to his age and BMI.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD). The Veteran's hearing loss and fibromyalgia claims are remanded. The rating of the Veteran's radiculopathy is also remanded. TDIU is remanded as it is intertwined with other issues.

The Board denied the severance of service connection for post-operative left and right knee DJD with history of chondromalacia, based on limitation of movement.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding that the Veteran's arthritis is likely due to his parachute jumping during active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity and remanded the issues of service connection for low back condition, bilateral knee condition, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to secondary service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim of service connection for a left knee condition has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been dismissed. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for mood disorder is denied, but a TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.