Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied as the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to ensure that the VA examinations are adequate and include all necessary testing.

The Board has granted service connection for gout of the bilateral knees and bilateral ankles, but denied service connection for gout of the bilateral elbows. The Veteran's gout in his knees and ankles is considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee condition, including his meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis, is being reviewed due to new evidence submitted since the last decision. The Board has decided that this issue needs further consideration.

The Veteran's disability rating for left knee trauma is denied as his condition does not warrant a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need to consider additional VA treatment records and ensure proper consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the case is no longer in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his right knee disabilities and bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the right knee disability.

The Veteran's current left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities were denied service connection as they did not manifest to a compensable degree by the end of the applicable presumptive period or are not related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder was denied as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.,An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was also denied, as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to less than 135 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, TBI, chronic headache disorder, and CFS have been reopened. The claim for PTSD has a new effective date of April 14, 2010. However, the issues regarding TBI, chronic headache disorder, and CFS remain denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as incurred in service. The right knee disability and TDIU/SMC issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity condition (claimed as right leg, knee, ankle, and foot pain radiating from the low back), and hypertension have all been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was denied as the condition has not been diagnosed and is not considered to be related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was denied due to the severity of symptoms being moderate.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her digestive symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating for hypothyroidism.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The claim of service connection for a right knee and right hip disabilities has been reopened due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly concerning his alleged injuries and surgeries during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.