Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder was aggravated by his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically whether any left knee disability preexisted service or was aggravated by service, and whether his right knee disability is proximately due to or caused by his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, left and right knee conditions with lower extremity edema, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee disability was granted, but service connection for the condition remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions began during his active service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disorder and an effective date earlier than May 27, 2016, for a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee pain and bilateral hearing loss claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his right knee, including the residual surgical scar. The issue will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, conduct new VA examinations for his right knee and left clavicle disabilities, and develop the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and back disability are not related to service, and as such, denied his claims for service connection. The secondary service connection claim for depression is moot due to lack of established service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to disease or injury incurred in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches due to lack of a present diagnosis for hearing loss and insufficient evidence linking his current conditions to service. The claim for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was not addressed as it is part of the remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are not attributable to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and to schedule a VA examination for his service-connected knee disabilities. The claim will be reviewed after these actions are completed.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disability, as well as whether it is related to service-connected left knee sprain. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and bowel disorder (IBS) are not causally or etiologically related to active service, arthritis cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service, and a bilateral knee disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar DDD. The claim for erectile dysfunction (ED) was not addressed as it pertains to medications prescribed for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and the initial compensable rating for right knee scars as of November 21, 2016.

The Veteran's left knee lateral meniscectomy and arthroscopy with osteoarthritis was characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent locking, pain, and effusion for the entire claims period. The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5258 for the entire claims period.