Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's back disability was granted a 40% rating from November 15, 2012 to March 9, 2016. His right knee disability received separate compensable ratings of 10% for flexion limitation and 20% for dislocated meniscus since June 28, 2016.

The appeal as to the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is dismissed. The appeals as to the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are granted due to new and material evidence being received.

The Board has granted service connection for back pain as due to an undiagnosed illness, but denied the remaining issues of service connection for vision disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, latent tuberculosis, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The issues include psychiatric disorders, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and left knee disorders are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions. The right knee disorder is also granted as it meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and insomnia) due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will provide a new examination and obtain any relevant records.

This decision dismisses the appeal for service connection of scarring above right eye. The Veteran's appeals on right arm/shoulder disability, right knee disability, hypertension, and TBI residuals are remanded.,The Board found no current diagnosis of a right arm/shoulder or right knee disability, thus denying service connection for these conditions.,Hypertension is remanded due to the absence of relevant private medical records. The Veteran's TBI claim is also remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and lower back disabilities due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, residuals of heat stroke, and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS). The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s chronic diarrhea.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for painful limited flexion and slight lateral instability, but does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5257 (instability) or 5260/5261 (flexion/extension).

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether it is related to service or any event, disease, or injury during service, as well as whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's left ear deep attic retraction pocket with minimal cholesteatoma is granted an increased rating of 10 percent. The right knee disability, chronic sinusitis, possible complications of the left ear disability, and irritable bowel syndrome are all remanded for further review.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion addressing findings from a November 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has remanded two issues: rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine on and after May 6, 2011; and rating for torn anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee with instability. The Veteran must be provided new examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's partial right knee replacement warranted a temporary total rating from April 16, 2010 to May 16, 2011. A subsequent minimum 30 percent rating was assigned effective May 17, 2011. The claim for a greater than 30 percent rating beginning June 1, 2013 is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's gout, hypertension, and PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for lumbar IVDS and lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to the lack of issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left ankle sprain. The effective date is set at December 3, 2015, which is when the Veteran submitted a new claim for an increased rating for his right ankle sprain.