Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion. The Board has granted separate ratings for instability, locking, pain, and effusion in each knee.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and internal derangement (meniscal and ACL tears), is rated at a 30 percent evaluation for the period beginning July 15, 2016. The rating takes into account his limitation of extension to 20 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his low back, knee, shoulder, and hamstring disabilities due to lack of updated treatment records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disability have been granted service connection, but the TDIU claim was denied. The effective date for PTSD is December 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new and relevant evidence added to the record since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case in June 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and Achilles tendinopathy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC and Dr. P.I., and conduct additional development as needed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure of the RO to issue a supplemental statement of the case following an August 2017 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his military service, and the claim for this condition is granted.,There is no evidence of a dental disability that warrants compensation. The Veteran’s gum condition does not meet the criteria for VA compensation.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran has a left knee condition, bilateral foot condition, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis related to his military service.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition is related to his military service.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran’s sinus conditions (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) are related to his military service.,No evidence of a preexisting sinus condition prior to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, neck pain, bilateral ankle and lower leg pain, bilateral knee pain, shin splints, hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory condition (to include asthma), and skin condition (to include eczema and dermatitis). The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as to retrieve Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hearing loss, increased ratings for tinnitus, otitis externa, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection of his left shoulder disability is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection. The rating for his right knee condition remains remanded due to worsening symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, but the claims for left knee disorder and acquired allergies are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder condition, respiratory condition (COPD), left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not report symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service, and his work as a mason post-service was not considered strenuous enough to cause arthritis.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased evaluation of right knee chondromalacia and granted service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety. The claim for increased evaluation of left knee chondromalacia is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for new medical records and an addendum opinion regarding whether the right hip disability is caused or aggravated by service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for an eye disability to include as due to meningitis.