Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's GERD/hiatal hernia is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met. For his left knee and upper back disabilities, remand is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, hip disabilities, ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, inguinal hernia, psychiatric disorders, and dyslipidemia. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine, left knee, left ankle, and eye disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the highest level of aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for such benefit under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (r).

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The initial compensable rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right knee disabilities has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD, CAD, and right knee disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's left foot condition, right foot condition, and right leg condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a back injury, right knee injury, forehead scar, jungle rot, and TBI are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incident that could be linked to these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder) is granted. The Board finds the Veteran likely sustained a mild traumatic brain injury during service which contributed to his diagnosed depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine DJD and IVDS, left knee DJD, right knee DJD, and right ankle tendonitis as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right hip fracture has been reopened and granted. The claims for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right ankle arthritis are still pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service onset or chronic conditions during service. The Veteran's current knee conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee service connection is granted, but the appeal for this issue remains pending as it was remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative changes of the left knee is also remanded due to inadequate etiology opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee arthritis effective January 10, 2013, the date of the Veteran's initial claim to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right knee strain due to inadequate examination findings and the need for further testing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but did not find it material or sufficient to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees was rated at 10% prior to June 26, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on flexion or extension limitations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee conditions due to a lack of recent medical evidence, and requests that she undergo another VA examination.