Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's joint pain of the bilateral shoulders, elbows, hands, and feet is not considered service-connected.,Further investigation into these conditions is needed as they may be related to undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness associated with his Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee disability and hip disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee instability and OA was granted effective from November 26, 2001. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and right heel disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, secondary to his right knee disability, has been reopened. His right knee degenerative joint disease and meniscus removal have both been granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion addressing prior range of motion and functional loss due to pain.

The Veteran's DJD of the right foot is rated at 20 percent, and his Right Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome and Right Ankle Achilles Tendonitis are each rated at 20 percent.

A separate, 30 percent rating for the side effects of medications used to treat lumbosacral strain with DDD and degenerative arthritis is granted. The initial rating for chondromalacia of the right knee remains remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and right leg amputation below the knee as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service, with particular emphasis on the lack of in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a left knee disorder and its relationship to service.

All claims for service connection are remanded. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is related to his PTSD and shortening of the right leg.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee conditions as the evidence did not show a link between current knee disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for a below-the-knee amputation in his left lower extremity is denied as the evidence does not support an increased rating beyond 40 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is not rated higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's right knee DJD and arthritis are each rated at noncompensable levels.,The Veteran's right knee instability prior to July 25, 2016 was rated at a noncompensable level. From that date forward, the rating is 10 percent for instability.,The Veteran’s lumbar strain and right knee DJD/Arthritis are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various types of arthritis in the Veteran's feet and legs due to incomplete development, including lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, left hip disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and TBI due to potential unavailability of records. The diabetes claim is deferred until additional information can be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded. His claims for service connection of lumbosacral strain, left knee pain, right knee pain, and degenerative arthritis of the spine are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disorder, sinus disorder, allergic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder due to incomplete records from Moody Air Force Base. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee DJD is as likely as not attributable to in-service occurrences.,Service connection for lumbar spine disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to an in-service occurrence.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, knee scars, left ankle disability (secondary to knee disability), bilateral vision loss, and hepatitis due to incomplete service treatment records and unobtained post-service medical records.