Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination of the Veteran's left knee and consideration of any new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees, and hemorrhoids were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations.,For the period prior to February 19, 2014, the Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied because he failed to provide good cause for refusing VA examination requests.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Regarding the left knee disability, the Board finds no nexus between the current diagnosis of patella fracture with chondromalacia and meniscus tear and events in service. Service connection for this issue is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the issues related to left knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, bilateral metatarsalgia, and hypertension prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for initial review of new evidence and further adjudication. The Veteran's claims for service connection on various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected dizziness is rated at 30 percent prior to July 17, 2013. The Veteran's IBS is rated as noncompensable under DC 8873-7319. Service connection for PTSD with depression and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, a cervical spine disability, and joint pain in the knees, elbows, neck, and fingers. The appeal is dismissed as to the left shoulder cyst.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was granted with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia of the left knee was not decided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cervical spine pain/chronic myositis paracervical spine muscles, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral elbows, ankles, shoulders, knees, wrists, and hips, and dyslipidemia have been remanded due to a need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and knee disorders are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of chronicity during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's arthritis was more likely due to natural aging and obesity.,While the Veteran presented a theory of secondary service connection based on his right ankle disorder, the VA examiner found that the Veteran's back and knee disorders are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left shoulder arthritis and bilateral wrist arthritis have been withdrawn. Service connection for residuals of a stroke was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran suffered a stroke in service or within one year post-service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current cerebrovascular disease to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hip disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints and bilateral knee arthritis as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's right knee pain is being remanded for further examination and clarification of the nature and etiology of her condition, including potential service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting painful motion. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, right knee, bilateral hip, and right foot conditions have been reopened. The claim for service connection for a back condition has been granted.