Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, right hip and knee disorders, bilateral foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (presumed due to service connection), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and dental disorder. The decision also noted that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders, were not adjudicated in the July 2018 rating decision. The Board has referred these issues to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, increased rating for left knee degenerative osteophytosis, and a compensable rating for his left ankle condition are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, left shoulder disability, right hip and knee disabilities, and PTSD due to new evidence suggesting service connection may be warranted. The VA will conduct additional examinations and seek an addendum opinion regarding the nature of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as incurred in active duty. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and PTSD due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right foot, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims for service connection for a right foot disability, as well as increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine conditions, are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI was dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraines prior to April 2018 was denied, but he received a grant of a 50% rating for migraines from that date onwards.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were granted separate evaluations of 10 percent effective September 1, 1999.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as for a thoracolumbar spine disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and proper notification of the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting personnel records regarding his ACDUTRA period. The RO is instructed to verify the Veteran’s assertion of full-time ACDUTRA during November 1992 to July 1993 at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals of the hands and feet, as well as increased ratings for her low back disability, right knee arthritis, right knee instability, left knee disability, and left knee instability are all denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of a cold injury or its residuals in the Veteran's case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, as well as his initial rating for MDD, ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 have all been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right ear hearing loss, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis (right shoulder disability), right ankle strain, left ankle strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), left knee PFS, right elbow olecranon bursitis (right elbow disability), lumbar spine disability with Scheuermann's kyphosis (lumbar spine disability), right hip strain with limitation of extension and flexion, left hip strain with limitation of extension and flexion, bilateral pes planus, left ear hearing loss, and tension headaches. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and has denied an increased rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction. The left knee shrapnel wound scar is rated as noncompensable, while PTSD is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including ruptured Baker's cyst, severe degenerative joint disease, effusion with aspirations, and thigh abscess/cellulitis, is considered an additional disability resulting from VA medical treatment in April-May 2013. The Board found that the risk of infection was not a reasonably foreseeable event.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further evaluation due to potential progression of symptoms since his last VA examination.

The Board has granted a separate, initial disability rating of 40 percent for left knee ankylosis from June 3, 2015. The evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's left knee disability manifested as ankylosis in flexion between 10 degrees and 20 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral knee arthritis, GERD, and chest pain.