Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence after his last Statements of the Case. The claims for higher initial ratings and increased rating will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple knee disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 2013.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, numbness in the right hand, bilateral knee disability, left hip disability, spinal meningitis, and sleep apnea. The effective dates for these issues are not addressed as they are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including left knee instability and a potential secondary hip disorder. The case is referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's left leg below knee amputation is rated at 60% and his left shoulder rotator cuff tear with impingement syndrome remains at 20%. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent effective March 3, 2017. The Board has ordered additional development for other claims and issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to June 8, 2010, is rated at 20 percent due to moderate joint space narrowing and painful limitation of motion. The Board found no evidence of marked impairment or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before proceeding with the adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the reductions in evaluations for left knee laxity and strain were not proper, and has restored the original 10 percent ratings. The case is remanded to obtain an examination for carpal tunnel syndrome and toe disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for nose bleeds, heart disability, sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral wrist disability due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for hypertension, the severance of service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy, and evaluations for wrist and knee conditions. Additional Social Security Administration records are needed to support these appeals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher evaluation of his service-connected left knee disability, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability and for TDIU due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, and a new VA examination is required for several issues. The effective date of service connection for migraine headaches remains under review.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, joint disorder (including knee and elbow pain), epilepsy, glaucoma, and prostate disorder.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a gallbladder disorder and an initial increase rating for left knee degenerative patellofemoral changes, finding no current disability for VA purposes and insufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal, including those related to service connection for various disabilities. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left knee instability, separate ratings of 20 percent for right and left knee meniscal injuries, initial compensable ratings for right and left great toe degenerative arthritis, and remanded issues regarding ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left ankle disabilities have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, bilateral wrist, low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities. These conditions are deemed to be related to military service.

The Veteran's tooth disorder, left knee disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder have been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these awards are November 14, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a tooth disorder, an effective date prior to November 14, 2013, for left knee disorder, and an effective date prior to November 14, 2013, for thoracolumbar spine disorder are denied as they were not filed within one year of discharge from service.