Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the bilateral feet, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus. The claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of onset in service or within one year of separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on instability or limitation of motion, and there was no evidence of actual loss of use of the left foot.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of records, including a need for an additional VA examination to address whether the Veteran has a meniscus condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the feet, ankles, knees, or respiratory system that are related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence fails to establish any present disability as a result of service.

The Veteran's gall bladder condition is not related to his military service.,There are no current findings for bilateral knee disorder that can be linked to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for DJD of the right and left knees, both to include as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his bilateral knee disabilities. The RO must also consider the propriety of assigning a temporary total rating for convalescence under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 and the applicability of Diagnostic Code 5055 in light of the Veteran's June 2017 total left knee replacement surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically for allergies and a right knee disability. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or condition related to these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service connected as there is no current diagnosis and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's left knee disability is not service connected due to lack of a nexus between his current condition and service. The VA examiner opined that the current condition was less likely than not incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, is service-connected. The right knee disability claim and TDIU claim are also pending based on this determination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and is now remanding the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 10 percent rating, effective November 2, 2016. Her bilateral shin splints were also granted service connection and rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been denied, with the highest available ratings for limitation of extension being 40 percent each.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected right hip bursitis with knee pain due to insufficient examination findings regarding flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left total knee arthroplasty with surgical scars are rated at 60 percent effective June 1, 2009. Effective that date, the Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to inadequate VA examination reports. The claims for increased ratings of her right knee disabilities are not currently decided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records.

The Veteran's left knee condition, post-meniscectomy for derangement of the left knee, has been rated at 10 percent since May 2011. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on additional disability due to pain or instability.