Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right knee disability is rated at 20 percent. He also received a separate 10 percent rating for slight lateral instability of both knees, and was granted TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeals concerning entitlement to service connection for a low back condition, right knee and lower leg condition, PTSD, and granted the appeal for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities have been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 20% evaluation for each shoulder disability. Service connection for the lumbar spine disability has not been established.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities as the evidence does not show a relationship to service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and erectile dysfunction are service-connected, but the right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not.,Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension. The other conditions remain denied.,There is no evidence of a current cystalgia (pain in the bladder) disability, so service connection is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not service-connected.,Service connection for the cervical spine disorder is granted as it is related to a low back disorder. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical and mental impairments, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty revision necessitated convalescence up to June 23, 2016. The Board granted an extension of a temporary 100 percent rating for convalescence due to the surgery.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and left ankle chronic posterior tibialis tendinopathy and talar edema, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for other disabilities remain remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bipolar disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder had its onset during his active duty service and affirms the grant of service connection. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia, patella of both knees due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran must be provided with a new VA examination that includes range of motion in active and passive motions under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, upper extremity radiculopathy, and osteoarthritis. The issues include a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion prior to March 2, 2017, and from March 2, 2017; compensable ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy; and compensable ratings for right and left upper extremity disabilities. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include scars, osteoarthritis of the knee, degenerative disc disease at C4-C5 and C5-C6 levels, and neuritis of the infrapatellar cutaneous nerve.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is denied. A separate 10 percent evaluation for instability of the left knee is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim. Therefore, all issues have been remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and address any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding a right knee disability, as there is no current evidence of such a condition. The Veteran's claims for left shoulder, low back, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the severance of service connection for various conditions, including Lyme disease and related anemia, knee issues, and thyroid cancer. The appeal is inextricably intertwined with the severance of service connection for status post exposure to Lyme disease.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a 10 percent evaluation for a painful hernia scar. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to the Veteran not submitting current treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, right knee strain with chondrosis, and left knee strain have all been rated at 10 percent since June 4, 2011.,None of the conditions meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected alcohol abuse is granted, as it is aggravated by his service connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and chronic sleep impairment. The rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and chronic sleep impairment is increased to 70 percent from August 12, 2013.

The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for left knee flexion and extension, effective November 15, 2010.