Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, cervical spondylosis, tinnitus, tinea versicolor, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited flexion, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited extension, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with impairment of the thigh, right knee strain, left knee strain, thoracolumbar strain, right shoulder scars, status-post surgery, left ingrown toenails, and migraine headaches have all been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim has also been denied for periods when a 100% rating was granted due to surgical convalescence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, neck disability, low back pain, bilateral knee disabilities, cephalgia, hand tremors, restless leg syndrome, and respiratory insufficiency are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for acquired psychological disability is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of documentation for notice regarding a scheduled VA examination for the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran was unable to attend the October 22, 2018 examination due to being ill and provided good cause.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for diabetes mellitus, denied service connection for low back disability and right knee disability, and denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, left knee chondromalacia with subluxation, right small finger degenerative arthritis, upper and mid dorsal spine limitation of extension, and residual surgical scar of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and for obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability, including diagnoses of derangement, sprain, and pes anserine bursitis, is being evaluated by a clinician.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, right knee condition, brain condition, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's treatment records need to be obtained, including VA and private records from before 1998.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right knee disability and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nexus between the right knee disability and service. The Veteran's allegations of injury in service and explanation for lack of treatment, as well as the statement of Dr. LJM, will be considered.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and an inadequate September 2012 VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis/Reiter's syndrome of the bilateral knees and arthritis (other than of bilateral knees and ankles, and lumbar spine) as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's abdominal muscle strain claim is dismissed. Service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The appeal seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for a right knee condition is granted. Entitlement to an increased rating for the fracture of left third and fourth fingers is also granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a chronic back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for right knee strain is remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and remanded the issue of service connection for osteoarthritis of bilateral knees due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's reduction from 20 to 10 percent for his right knee disability was not proper, and the prior 20 percent rating must be restored.

The Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities have been restored to their previous ratings of 60% and 20%, respectively, effective March 1, 2015. The appeal is granted for these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the claims for various conditions remain pending as new evidence was submitted. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to October 16, 2017 and higher than 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's left knee strain did not warrant a compensable rating prior to October 16, 2017. From October 16, 2017, he was granted ratings of 10 percent for instability and painful, limited motion.,Bilateral hearing loss has not warranted any compensation at any point during the appeal period.