Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's increased rating for his left knee disability is denied as the evidence does not show functional limitation beyond what was shown on clinical testing and no instability has been found.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and residuals of stroke. The issues are related to determining whether these conditions are linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee conditions have been rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to limited range of motion, with no additional functional loss or instability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for left knee residuals prior to March 1, 2017.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee instability and a rating greater than 20 percent for low back disorder.

The Veteran is granted total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 2, 2011 and from June 11, 2013. TDIU is denied for the period from March 2, 2011 to June 10, 2013.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's right knee disability, including rating claims for instability and limitation of extension. The AOJ must consider all evidence of record in readjudicating these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including lack of a proper VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lumbar scoliosis, right knee disorder, and gluteal fasciitis. The appeal regarding reconsideration of left hip arthritis is granted but denied.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, neuropathy, bronchial asthma, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his left thumb, left knee, and lumbosacral strain disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis and bursitis, finding that there was no nexus between his current disability and his in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence did not support a link.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including left knee, mental disorder with paranoid schizophrenia, rib condition, headache condition, and psychiatric condition diagnosed as an organic affective disorder. The denial is based on lack of a nexus between current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including meniscus tear and degenerative changes of the posterior cruciate ligament, is granted an increased rating of 20 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, a 10 percent rating is granted for arthritis with degenerative joint disease, and a separate 20 percent rating is granted for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has decided that additional records are needed and an examination is required to determine if the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee brace was prescribed in June 2015 but he did not receive it until January 2016. As a result, he cannot qualify for a clothing allowance for the year 2015.

Your appeals for service connection of four different disabilities have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence related to the Veteran's right knee disability and TBI claim, including medical records from his total knee replacement and any VA treatment he may have received.