Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and left knee arthritis are granted. The Veteran is also awarded initial ratings of at least 10 percent for his left knee lateral instability and limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee injury/patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease is being remanded to allow the VA to consider additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for clarification and further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened, and the claim is granted. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, migraine headaches, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all denied.

The Board has denied service connection for spine and right knee conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disabilities, both secondary to his service-connected left foot disability with scar. The claims are now before the VA for further examination and determination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and skin cancer are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability. The AOJ should assign an initial rating for the period prior to July 20, 2010 before the Board adjudicates the merits of the initial rating assigned for the disability.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for right knee strain from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective July 11, 2017, was improper and has ordered restoration of the prior rating. The Veteran's cervical spine, depressive disorder, lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and scar, residual injury right ring finger disabilities are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip and knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms of the left hip or knee disability meeting or approximating the criteria for an increased rating based on either limited extension, flexion, adduction, or abduction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability, which he contends is related to his service-connected right knee disability, requires further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left femur, left tibia and fibula fracture, and left leg scar have been denied as there is no evidence of the required criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no in-service injury or disease linked to the current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations, and a new examination is required.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, sleep disturbances, IBS, and left ankle fracture residuals are dismissed.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 28, 2006. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU based on a single service connected disability (PTSD and fibromyalgia).