Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral sprain, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, hypertension, and a right hip disability due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The appeals are now pending with appropriate examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's left knee disabilities are inadequate and remanded to obtain a new examination. The claims of entitlement to increased evaluations remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The rating for his left knee disability, which includes a partial knee replacement, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial compensable rating for a left knee condition and an increased disability rating for a low back condition.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.,An initial rating of 30 percent for GERD with clinical chronic gastritis is granted.,A compensable rating (10%) for the scar of the left knee is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for status post left knee injury with medial partial meniscectomy, chondromalacia patella and medical tibial plateau is denied.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with representation and development, including providing the Veteran's representative an opportunity to submit a VA Form 646.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and hypertension due to incomplete review of the record. Additional audiological opinions are needed regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left foot injuries due to a lack of VA examination, as well as incomplete medical records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current knee disability and her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right knee disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20% due to slight subluxation and painful movement. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no objective evidence of more severe instability or limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence showing the Veteran was seen and prescribed pain medication in June 2009 for back pain and bilateral knee pain. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's right knee disability is not entitled to a higher initial rating than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability is not entitled to a higher initial rating than 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs is rated at 50 percent, effective September 26, 2003.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee strain, costochondritis (claimed as a right-side rib cage injury), bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Board found no current disabilities that meet VA criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left and right ear hearing loss disabilities, and tinnitus are all granted as service-connected. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for right-hand skin condition has not been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected left knee conditions, including osteoarthritis, status post-meniscus tear repair, and left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which affect a single body system or arise from a common etiology, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entirety of the appeal period. As such, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.