Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's below the knee amputation of the right leg was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of frostbite to his foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examination reports and consideration of the newly added medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, as evidenced by high blood pressure readings during active duty and a VA examination confirming current diagnosis. The knee osteoarthritis claim requires further review due to the need for an additional VA examination considering the average amount of days spent on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA each year in the reserves.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and knee degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition during the periods in question.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, stenosis of the lumbar spine (claimed as back injury), and actinic keratosis (claimed as facial and torso basal cell condition). The claim for bilateral knee condition is still pending. The appeals are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus, low back disability, right hip condition, and right leg (knee) condition for further development. The Veteran's claims are not about service connection at all in these cases.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability, right shoulder mild degenerative joint disease, and left shoulder degenerative changes have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, headaches, and TDIU. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA treatment records and employment information.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded cases regarding initial ratings for right knee DJD and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability has been reopened and granted. A 10 percent rating is assigned for the left elbow scar, effective from when the decision was made. The claims of increased ratings for left knee and left elbow disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disorders, cervical spine disorder, and Berger’s disease with renal stones due to the Veteran's contention of worsening symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for left wrist ganglion cyst post-operative, right wrist ganglion cyst, and left ankle fracture. The remaining issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with chondromalacia (left knee disability), a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee chrondromalacia (right knee disability), and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. A new examination is required to determine if a diagnosis exists, whether any diagnosed condition is related to service, and to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as secondary to his service-connected amputation of great, second, and third toes. The left foot scars are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7804. The right knee surgical scar is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, limitation of extension of the right knee, left knee disorder, bone disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left thigh disorder, right thigh disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, neck muscle spasms, visual defect, hypertension, GERD, brain tumor, peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy, seizure disorder, and other conditions. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right shoulder pain, cervical spine pain, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome due to a lack of VA examination.