Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee degenerative joint disease, status-post right knee replacement, from October 17, 2009 to April 1, 2016 is being remanded due to the need for additional records and assistance.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and right knee conditions with osteoarthritis, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair surgery. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the most recent VA examination report and assertions of worsening. A new VA examination will be scheduled, and all pertinent private treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were denied as they are not related to service. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or exposure that could support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's body aches in the bilateral wrists, shoulders, and knees are granted as they are part of a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.,The Veteran's insomnia is granted as it is considered a symptom of his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees effective May 26, 2011. An earlier effective date was not granted due to lack of evidence of dependency arising within one year of birth.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination results, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to the right knee disability and denied a separate compensable rating for right knee instability. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion with degenerative joint disease and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension with degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including eye and vision issues, hearing loss, knee problems, back pain, leg numbness/weakness, psychiatric conditions, and heart disability. The appeals are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a left knee disability, migraines, and right foot degenerative osteoarthritis. The claim for a left foot disability is denied. Service connection has also been granted for a lumbar spine disability but not for cervical degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's right foot condition was found to be service-connected due to pre-existing conditions aggravated by active duty, and her migraines were found to have no direct link to service.

The Veteran's claims for left knee retro patellofemoral pain syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for restoration of the 30% rating for posttraumatic tension headaches due to TBI has also been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, left ankle, and chest disabilities. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim seeking a TDIU rating due to ongoing development needs.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right hip disabilities, hearing loss, PTSD, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's appeals are also remanded for development in relation to his service connection for respiratory disorders and hypertension.