Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral knee strain and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected IBS. The left ankle disability has been assigned a noncompensable rating, while the cervical spine disability warrants an initial evaluation of 10 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for updated medical examinations and records, as well as clarification of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been addressed. The Board has granted some of the requested increases in rating, but denied others.

The Board has decided that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for a right knee condition can be adjudicated.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it, but denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.,Right knee osteoarthritis was found not incurred in or related to active duty. Tinnitus was also found not incurred in or related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the issues with consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's skin condition is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.,There is no current diagnosis or persistent symptoms of dizziness and fainting spells, and the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the reopening of his claim for a right foot disability, as well as his claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a right hand disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for examinations to assess the severity of his knee and hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee disability has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is seeking effective dates prior to the assigned ratings for his service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as PTSD. The Board finds that no earlier effective dates are warranted due to lack of factual ascertainability.,For the increased rating claims, there is no evidence of an increase in disability prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's left knee disability and because additional records are needed. The Veteran is requested to obtain an addendum opinion from Dr. Marcos.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee/leg disorder, left knee/leg disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA medical records and examination reports, the Board finds no current disability of a right or left knee and concludes that any knee symptoms experienced during service were not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as the Veteran has passed away.

The Veteran's right and left knee retropatellar pain syndromes are currently rated at 10 percent each, effective April 30, 2008. For the period prior to this date, both knees were rated based on flexion limited to no more than 80 degrees.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to right knee strain, low back disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and testing related to his right knee disability, specifically regarding range of motion and meniscal condition.