Knee decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the appeals for numbness in the arms, myofascial pain of the upper back, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For cervical spondylosis with degenerative joint disease, a rating of 30 percent is granted as of October 3, 2017. The other conditions received initial ratings.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher disability ratings related to various conditions, including left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left knee chondromalacia and osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and IVDS. The issues of service connection for bladder dysfunction and bowel dysfunction secondary to these disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The increased rating claims for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and bursitis of the right shoulder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected total left knee replacement with nontender scar is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and denied service connection for a right ankle disability. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is found to be related to his active duty service, while the right ankle disability was not shown during service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder calcific tendinopathy, right shoulder subacromial bursitis, and bilateral knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims to establish service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers and a right knee disability. However, further development is needed before these issues can be decided on their merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for hypertension and degenerative joint disease and chondromalacia of the right knee were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in November 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's service periods and missing STRs. The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is being reviewed for possible service connection, aggravation in line of duty, or misdiagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities, as well as service connection and TDIU. The Veteran needs to be evaluated for his current knee conditions and any blood clots or PTSD. His service records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, left ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, left ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, left ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them to obtain additional evidence and determine if a current respiratory disability or sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, left ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's left knee conditions are rated based on limitation of motion. The Board has granted a 30% rating for the period prior to August 11, 2014, and a 10% rating for the period beginning August 11, 2014. TDIU is also remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding employment capacity.