Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right knee injury claim, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for mid-and-low back disability and left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence supports these claims. The Board also granted service connection for both disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have all been denied. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability. Service connection was denied for left shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip and knee disorders, as well as his claim for an increased rating for a right ankle disability. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional VA treatment records and undergo another VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, acquired psychiatric disability, and right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for a meniscal injury with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The rating for limitation of flexion remains at 10 percent. A TDIU is granted before June 15, 2015, and from April 2, 2018 on.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's left eye loss of visual acuity claim requires additional evidence as there are no current records showing a diagnosed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding that his current right knee arthritis is not related to an in-service injury or disease and is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and hypertension due to inadequate examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the effective dates are not specified. The ratings assigned for obesity and hypertension remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of unemployability prior to June 14, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, and lower back disabilities due to new evidence received since the final rating decisions. The claims are reopened but further medical examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected left femur fracture and total knee replacement, with the total hip arthroplasty.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital were denied because the emergency treatment was not necessary due to his own delay in seeking VA care, and there were feasible alternatives available.

Service connection is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee injury (now status post left total knee replacement), and chronic headaches.,The Veteran's bladder disability appeal was withdrawn during a hearing.