Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations for her claimed disabilities. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed low back, right knee, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are related to his service due to combat exposure. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension. The Veteran's left wrist tendinitis is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service, including the incident in which he jammed his knees into the dashboard of a truck after it tripped a mine. The preponderance of evidence shows no link between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Veteran's TBI, right upper extremity neuropathy, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities are all found to be related to his service.,His right knee disorder is also found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for macular degeneration, hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability have been denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities, finding that there was no relationship between these conditions and his service-connected back disability or active duty service.

The Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, or foot disorders during his active duty. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, or foot disorders during his active duty. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and left knee medial collateral ligament sprain have been rated based on their respective service-connected status. The rating for the right knee post-replacement is in excess of 30 percent, while the rating for the left knee pre-replacement is in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a back disorder, diagnosed as spondylosis and a lumbosacral strain. The appeal regarding increased evaluations for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and migraine headaches is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disability, hip disability, or bilateral arm disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted as of December 23, 2009. The Board also dismissed all other claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal during his February 2018 hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in evaluation for Meniere's disease, as there was no evidence of a cerebellar gait or more than one episode per week of vertigo and cerebellar gait. For dry eyes, secondary to ptosis surgery, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation due to lack of incapacitating episodes during any relevant 12-month period. The Veteran's bilateral foot dermatophytosis also did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it affected less than 5% of his entire body and exposed areas without requiring intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and SSA records. The AOJ will have an opportunity to review these records in the readjudication of her claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee, left knee, bilateral hip and low back disabilities are related to service. The case will be remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since January 30, 2012. The effective date for this rating is set to that date.

The Veteran's March 22, 2010 surgery for his right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a temporary total evaluation under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding her right shoulder rotator cuff condition, low back condition, right knee condition, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, as well as further development of other issues.