Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and meniscus issues have been rated, with a temporary total rating for the arthroplasty period from February 21, 2017 to March 31, 2018. As of April 1, 2018, he is granted a 30 percent rating for his status-post total left knee replacement.

The Board has found that there is sufficient evidence to trigger the duty to assist and a VA examination is needed for an opinion on whether the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are related to his military service.

All appeals related to service connection and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's malaria and left wrist and knee disabilities. The Appellant is being asked to provide a statement of the case on her claims for increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disorder, left knee condition, right ankle disability, GERD, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder were also denied.

The claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and granted. The claims for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left hip condition, and left leg and knee condition have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee disability and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent. The low back disability for the period prior to October 1, 2010 is remanded due to inadequate examination. The right knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by active duty from October 2016 to September 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disability. The claims for left shoulder DJD, impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear and bursitis, right rotator cuff injury with bursitis following surgical convalescence, and right knee post-operative chondromalacia are remanded as additional examination is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent since November 1, 2008. The case is remanded for consideration of a TDIU prior to July 24, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or asbestos exposure. The effective date remains unchanged at the moment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, and effective May 10, 2012. The rating for his lumbar spine disability is also granted on that date. However, the issues of increased ratings for shoulder strains, lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle sprain, cervical strain, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded as new VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was denied in December 2002 and reopened in September 2015. The evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to support the claim, so it is not new and material.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer was denied in December 2006 and reopened in September 2015. The evidence relates to an unestablished fact (a link between a current disability and an in-service injury) necessary to support the claim, so it is new and material.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right foot bone chip fracture was denied in March 2003 and reopened in September 2015. The evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to support the claim, so it is not new and material.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in this decision. The evidence does not show that the current disability is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability was denied in this decision. The evidence does not show that the current disability is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied in this decision. The evidence does not show that the current disability is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as the rating for degenerative arthritis in both knees. The Veteran's appeal is granted due to a timely notice of disagreement filed regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.,Service connection is denied for right hand, left hand, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and extension of temporary total disability benefits are granted. The Veteran is entitled to a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability, effective February 27, 2015, and an extension of the temporary total disability rating through April 30, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his assertion of worsening service-connected disabilities and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders with arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.