Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current chronic lumbar spine or left knee disorders, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and reopening of claims have been withdrawn. The Board has no jurisdiction over these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial rating assigned for cholecystectomy residuals and the denials of service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of fractured ribs, residuals of right eye trauma, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as dermatitis of the face and scalp, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee disability is granted, and his initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not cause unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities. The decision also noted that an additional examination was required to address the issue of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and rating decisions on the issues of higher ratings for myofascial pain syndrome, right knee disability, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder, right knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (diagnosed depression), and a sleep disorder. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to inadequate examination reports and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the left knee disability and a need for additional records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after obtaining necessary information and an updated medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The left knee disability claim is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his service-connected back disability. The right knee and left knee disorders are not considered service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee conditions, including osteoarthritis and a degenerative medial meniscus tear, are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The Veteran's complaints of continuous left knee pain since service have been considered credible.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, left and right knee disorders, bilateral foot disorder, eye disorder (claimed as bilateral nerve damage of the eyes), and erectile dysfunction, have been denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disabilities and any necessary examinations for TDIU. The claims will be readjudicated after all development is completed.

The Veteran's right knee tendonitis with limitation of motion is currently rated at 10 percent, and his right knee instability warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the updating of his claims file with any recent medical records.