Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right knee disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to August 19, 2013. Since then, he has been granted a 10 percent rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically limitation of extension, is rated at a 30 percent since October 30, 2009 to February 18, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and opinions regarding his right knee disorder and PTSD with depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral wrist, knee, and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran is also granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, with the condition being secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a new opinion based on full review of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to active service and was not aggravated by active service. Therefore, service connection for a right eye disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his service in the U.S. Army Reserves and further development of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent from September 17, 2009, to November 17, 2010, and increased to 30 percent from January 1, 2012, to February 29, 2016. The Veteran is now assigned a 60 percent rating for his right knee disability as of February 29, 2016.,The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5258 (dislocated meniscus) and currently receives the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5055 (knee replacement).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder and low back disorder, as well as other issues on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle disability, right knee condition, and left knee condition are denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any residual conditions related to his in-service Achilles tendon rupture.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, ingrown toenails, bone spurs of the heels, right knee disability, varicose veins, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis for hemorrhoids and noted that pes planus was noted on entry into service but not aggravated by service. Service connection has been granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his right knee arthritis. A second VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's recent medical evidence and his VA/privately received treatment records for his bilateral knee conditions. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for painful motion, effective from April 2014.,The Veteran's vitiligo is currently assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7823.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board, including those related to traumatic brain injury, PTSD, low back strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, scars of the scalp and face, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, post-traumatic headaches, and residuals of a left elbow contusion.

The Veteran's current left knee disorder, degenerative joint disease, was not incurred as a result of service or in-service occurrence or event. Arthritis was not demonstrated until years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is service-connected. The claim for service connection for seizures and right knee disability was reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2005 rating decision.