Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability. The decision on sleep apnea is that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability as there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service injury or disease, and the Veteran's claim is not supported by credible medical evidence.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and instability are rated at 10% before June 11, 2015. A separate 10% rating is granted for instability of the right knee. The Veteran's status post-right total knee replacement (TKR) is rated at 60% since August 1, 2016.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraine and cluster headaches, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability is granted. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10% based on limitation of motion, but no higher. Separate ratings have been granted for instability and removal of the semilunar cartilage.,Service connection has been established for PTSD and depression with an effective date set at February 18, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not establish a link to active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability was denied because there is no evidence that his current condition began during or is related to his military service. ,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back disability was granted, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained in active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee prior to September 18, 2017 and an evaluation in excess of 40 percent thereafter is granted. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 100 percent for COPD on and after May 9, 2018 remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, left knee, and right knee disorders as they are not causally or etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of disease or injury in service.,The Veteran's low back disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating higher than 60 percent, and his PTSD warrants a 70% initial disability rating but no higher.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of right knee condition, left knee condition, GERD, and benign skin neoplasms. The appeals are granted to those extents.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is related to or aggravated by his service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities based on the Veteran's active service.,Medical evidence shows that the Veteran experienced joint pain during military service, which led to current diagnoses of degenerative osteoarthrosis in both knees and a thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder, neck, and knee disabilities as well as hypertension are also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand condition, bilateral knee condition, and heart condition due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination to determine the etiology of various disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee and low back disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's lay assertions regarding his conditions are not considered, and the VA examination files were not reviewed as directed.