Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been rated as 10 percent for both the anterior cruciate ligament rupture and associated instability. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate given the current functional limitations of the knee joint.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are service-connected, with the latter being granted based on in-service combat injuries. The bilateral foot disability is not yet rated.,Service connection for neck and back disabilities remains pending as there are no diagnoses provided by the May 2012 VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain new medical opinions for the Veteran's neck, back, and bilateral knee conditions due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and to consider separate ratings based on limitation of motion and meniscectomy residuals.

The Veteran seeks effective dates earlier than March 7, 2012 for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board finds that entitlement to such an effective date is not warranted as the earliest effective date allowed by law is March 7, 2012.,The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability (back disability), degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and traumatic left knee injury with post-operative instability. The Board finds that entitlement to such increased ratings is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues on appeal are related to his depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right hip iliotibial band syndrome.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia patella. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to afford the Veteran a contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of January 25, 2013 for the award of service connection for a left knee disability. The claims for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability have been reopened.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and aggravated by his military duties. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or causation for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at Bayfront Health Brooksville on September 2, 2014 was authorized by VA and is therefore eligible for reimbursement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot, ankle, and knee disabilities had their onsets during service. As a result, the claims for these conditions are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis with left leg numbness and left knee arthritis are at least as likely as not related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and back disorder (scoliosis) are not service-connected, with no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry. The right knee disorder claim is pending as its rating status is unknown.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for increased ratings were not granted. The conditions, including hearing loss and sleep apnea, did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a 10 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for limitation of extension was improper and has restored the original 10 percent rating. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD, instability, and extension have also been denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective May 1, 2013. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right and left knee disabilities were previously denied. New evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disability related to radiation treatment was also denied as there is no additional disability stemming from VA treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on his current range of motion.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including collateral ligament reconstruction and chronic medial ligament instability, is currently rated at 20 percent for the period prior to November 17, 2015. Since that date, his condition has not warranted a higher rating.