Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current conditions and service, as well as any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities and service connection for a right knee disability was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for his left knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to June 5, 2017. A 100 percent rating for PTSD was awarded from June 5, 2017.,Service connection for right and left knee meniscal tears, hypertension, sleep apnea, a back disorder, and a left hip disorder were denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence shows the Veteran's pre-existing knee condition worsened during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea and left knee disability, including as secondary to a right knee disability.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for right knee and low back pain disabilities, which were previously denied in March 1991. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated as 10%.,The Veteran's skin disability involving the face was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence of current residuals for the claimed left shin fracture, left knee disability, and torn ligaments in the Veteran's left leg. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and left knee disability are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his left knee disability and dental disorder.

The Veteran is granted earlier effective dates for service connection of anxiety disorder, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits from December 19, 2011. The right knee disability was also granted an effective date of February 29, 2012.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims due to insufficient prior VA examination findings.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against his claims of service connection for lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee condition, right shoulder condition, and migraines.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination, is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for his service-connected right leg and knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities and addressing his theory of entitlement to service connection based on a secondary disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed below.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders due to lack of a current disability, despite the Veteran's reports of symptoms during service.