Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee replacements and respiratory disability (emphysema and COPD) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions due to lack of medical nexus opinions addressing his in-service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current knee disabilities and injuries sustained during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions to separate service-connected from non-service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, COPD and chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ear hearing loss, intermittent vertigo, intermittent hand tremors, and intermittent blackouts. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed stressors or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral lower extremity nerve damage as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty service. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were also considered but did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to require regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional examination. The issues include right elbow, left knee, and right knee conditions; PTSD; sleep apnea; hypertension; gastrointestinal condition; acid reflux; erectile dysfunction; neuropathy; diabetes mellitus; and heart condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination findings and a need for additional information regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's Morton's neuroma of the left foot is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5279.,The Veteran’s osteoarthritis of the left knee status post surgery is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as his flexion did not reach 60 degrees or less.,The Veteran's recurrent patellar subluxation and torn meniscus of the left knee are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The right and left knee conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a bilateral knee condition, a bilateral leg condition, sleep apnea, and a liver condition (secondary to pain medication for a bilateral knee condition). The claims for a bilateral upper extremity condition are also remanded. Additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran’s complete service personnel records.

The Veteran's PTSD with history of insomnia is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, and she is requested to provide updated treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability, hysterectomy residuals, and surgical scar are not granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding the right knee and another for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's records from Brooke Army Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center need to be obtained, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and painful scars, is rated at 20 percent effective April 23, 2014. The rating for limitation of extension remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent, which is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s bilateral hip disabilities are rated at 10 percent prior to October 6, 2016 and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating after that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 13, 2015 and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating thereafter.,All three conditions (DDD of the lumbar spine, bilateral hip disabilities, and right knee disability) are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, fatigue, multi-joint and muscle pain, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral knee disorder have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence linking any of these conditions to service or qualifying Persian Gulf Service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been reopened, and the rating of 10 percent for left knee subluxation has been restored. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for left hip, left ankle, and right ankle conditions are remanded.