Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disease with sleep apnea is granted, effective June 15, 2005. The effective date of the grant of TDIU is also set at August 15, 2003.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records development. The issues of service connection for left hip, bilateral knee conditions, and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and sleep apnea disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The current rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The reduction from a 50 percent rating for hearing loss to zero percent was proper. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, right foot, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including Lyme disease, respiratory disability, endocarditis, gall bladder condition, chronic diarrhea, urinary stricture, and joint pain. Service connection was granted for a neurological disability due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands, low back disorder, hypertension, varicose veins, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and left foot disorder are all remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (pes planus), and right varicose veins are not addressed as they do not involve secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right knee replacement has been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2012. The VA examiner found no more than normal range of motion and no instability, resulting in a denial of the claim for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for headaches as the Veteran did not present evidence of a current disability and no nexus to service. The right ankle rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, but restored due to lack of proper procedural steps.,For the period prior to April 27, 2016, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his disabilities affected a single body system and were severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection.,Other conditions, including right hand surgery residuals, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, and right flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, are also granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are each granted a 10 percent initial rating, but no more. The conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on additional symptoms or limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, cervical spine condition, back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder), stomach condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, chronic fatigue, and sleep apnea. The Board also denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left ankle disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues of service connection, including for lower back, right shoulder, right hip, right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as degenerative osteoarthritis, is granted service connection. The Board also found that her low back and right hip disorders are related to her service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected knee conditions have worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for coccygeal strain, lumbar strain, left hip DJD status post stress fracture, and acne dermatillomania as secondary to service-connected obsessive compulsive disorder. Service connection was denied for left knee strain, right hip strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.