Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and requests that VA attempts to obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is productive of painful motion limited to, at worst, 95 degrees of flexion and subjective mild instability symptoms. The Board finds a separate rating of 10 percent for instability is warranted.,The Veteran’s degenerative changes of the lower back with new onset facet fracture are productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, warranting an initial rating of 40 percent. The Board finds no higher rating is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of both the left and right knees, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic knee disorder during active service or within one year of separation. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis was less likely as not caused by his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left knee disability, service connection for back and right knee disabilities, and a right distal femur fracture. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability, which includes residuals of fracture and traumatic arthritis following total knee arthroplasty, is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations that comply with Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have increased in severity since the last examination, and he should be provided a VA examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's appeals on right knee, right ankle, and trouble sleeping disabilities were dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim of service connection for hypogonadism was granted, but the Board denied an increased rating beyond 10 percent. The issues of service connection for back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left ankle disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his low back disability, left knee arthritis (limitation of extension and flexion), and total left knee replacement was denied. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board remanded his claim for service connection of a left knee disability. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it is still under review.

The Veteran's right knee brace caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to a clothing allowance for 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee degenerative joint disease causes his clothing to wear or tear, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected conditions did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more. The cervical spine disorder did not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, and the left knee disorder did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine spondylosis, right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and left shoulder and arm disability for further development. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of djd of the right knee was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a grant of an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of shrapnel wounds to the left leg and knee, an increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and updated treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for back and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of continuity or recurrent symptoms since separation from active service. Service connection for a psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded due to the need for verification of a claimed stressor.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a psychiatric disability and the rating for left knee degenerative joint disease with anterior instability. The Veteran's VA treatment records from 2002 onwards need to be obtained, as well as an updated examination of his left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU for the entire appeal period.