Knee decisions — 2018

Service connection is granted for left knee arthritis. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, residuals of malaria disability, and sinus disability are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and pes planus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is presumed credible regarding his reports of in-service injuries and post-service symptoms.

The claims for service connection and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for plantar fasciitis are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The issues regarding secondary service connection, tarsal tunnel release, and sleep disability require further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, and hypertension as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that all issues on appeal must be remanded to ensure proper development, including obtaining service personnel records and private treatment records. VA examinations are also required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities due to their relationship with service-connected conditions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries are considered, as well as VA examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his current mental health symptoms are related to in-service stressors. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an extension beyond August 31, 2015 for a temporary total rating due to right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis disability following surgery was denied. The Veteran also met the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are remanded due to inadequate examination for his service-connected right knee disabilities and the potential impact on another claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to at least 45 degrees or extension limited to at least 10 degrees, which are required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261. The Veteran's arthritis is already rated based on limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, right ankle condition, and sinus condition. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and to ensure proper development of the case.,Service connection is not granted for bilateral pes planus or right ear hearing loss as there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding no medical evidence linking his current condition to his in-service injury. The VA examiner concluded that there was no causal relationship between the 2001 incident and any current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim for a bilateral knee condition and for pes planus. The Veteran's bilateral knee condition was found to be not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of injury during service and the disability preexisted service. For pes planus, the Board determined that it did not undergo aggravation during service and thus could not be considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and left knee degenerative joint disease are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for recurrent epistaxis, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw her claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss. The remaining issues on appeal are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and left knee disorder, as well as any associated neurological disorders. He will also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the etiology of his left knee disorder.

The Veteran's benign cyclic leukopenia, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability (including sciatic condition), and acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 70 percent disability rating from April 22, 2010, to September 6, 2016. The left knee strain issue was denied.