Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the increased ratings he was seeking for his right hip stress reaction and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with shin splints.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disability and service connection for a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability due to inadequate previous examinations. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and TDIU due to his service-connected low back disability. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for the bilateral knee disorder, as there was no in-service injury or disease related to this condition. The examiner opined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his combined rating of 50%.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine the etiology of the claimed neck disability and whether it is proximately due or permanently aggravated by service-connected low back and knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee injury and left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total arthroplasty, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his right knee and femur disabilities, as well as service connection for a back disability. Additional medical records are needed from VA facilities in West Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The Veteran's left knee disability did not present such an exceptional or unusual picture that the available schedular evaluations are inadequate for the period from February 1, 2009 to January 13, 2014.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right saphenous nerve laceration and right inguinal hernia repair scars, effective September 20, 2014. The rating assigned is 10 percent for each condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities did not have onset during service or are otherwise related to service. The right knee disability is considered a form of arthritis and thus is covered by presumptive service connection provisions for chronic diseases.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her right knee instability and service connection for left and bowel disorders, finding that there is no current disability to support these claims.,Regarding the left knee disorder, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis. For the bowel disorder, the Board noted the Veteran's lay statements but did not consider them in conjunction with her VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome was rated at 30 percent prior to September 1, 2009 and reduced to 10 percent from that date. The Board found no evidence of a rating in excess of these levels.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his conditions and any flare-ups.

The Veteran's right knee disorder was reopened due to new and material evidence, but service connection for the condition remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and hypertension due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence, including VA and private treatment records, and undergo examinations to determine the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee ITBFS disability has worsened, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left leg and knee disorders, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip disorder, and low back condition. The claims were either not reopened or found to lack new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a link between the conditions and service.