Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial ratings for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia of the left knee have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for his right and left shoulder disabilities, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hand numbness (or carpal tunnel syndrome), and bilateral hand eczema. The remand requests that a new VA examination be scheduled for each of these conditions to provide opinions on whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current right knee disabilities are not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a compensable disability rating for right knee PFS.

The Veteran's ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, patellofemoral syndrome with bursitis and degenerative changes of the right knee, and recurrent sinusitis. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The lower back and knee conditions are remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disorder, left knee disorders, right knee disorders, and bilateral tinnitus were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his PTSD from February 28, 2010 to the present.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 60 percent rating for his service-connected left knee replacement, effective November 28, 2016. The reduction was based on a VA examination that indicated improvement in the disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted service connection, but the current rating is noncompensable. The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability and remanded the issue of rating his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her left knee disability, Raynaud’s Disease, and insomnia. The current ratings for migraine headaches and right knee anterior cruciate ligament injury are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims regarding current disabilities in his knees and ankles.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an initial compensable rating for residuals of left fractured femur with scars and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn meniscus with scars due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his current level of severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and noting that his current condition does not appear to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder as there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran did not have a right knee injury or recurrence during his National Guard service.

The Veteran's claims for right knee disability, residuals of deviated nasal septum, and migraine headaches have been reopened. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added by the VA, and it is up to the AOJ to review this additional evidence.