Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to be related to her in-service injury, and she is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of right hip pain and bilateral heel pain, but remands for further development to determine if these conditions are secondary to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in January 1998 and remains denied. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen the claim within one year of the denial.,For his right shoulder disability, the Veteran received a 20% rating based on limitation of motion at the shoulder level. However, he appealed for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in January 1998 and remains denied. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,For his right shoulder disability, the Veteran received a 20% rating based on limitation of motion at the shoulder level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence, including lack of verification of active duty status following her C-section. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of a C-section scar and related disabilities, as well as the current severity of her patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected bilateral knee condition did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for any period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a vestibular condition, but the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding possible periods of active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, and for increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to new evidence of increased severity since the last examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is not fully resolved and requires additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for a left leg above-the-knee amputation and a chest scar, both of which are secondary to other conditions. The Veteran failed to appear at the scheduled examination due to an address issue.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right above the knee amputation, including reopening claims for various conditions and obtaining medical records from correctional facilities. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to assess his current disability status.

The Veteran's left knee disability has worsened since his last VA examination in June 2013. He is being asked to provide any outstanding records and a new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea with asthma and migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The knee disabilities have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension was not established due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service.,There is no indication that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no higher ratings warranted due to the flexion and extension limitations not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,For GERD, the Veteran has been rated at 10 percent since June 2015. The VA examiner found that his symptoms do not impact his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired right lower extremity disorder, including his right ankle, foot, and heel symptoms, as well as his bilateral knee disorders (right and left), are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to unclear or outdated evidence regarding his service-connected left knee, right clavicle, and right ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right thumb disabilities, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability.