Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's sleep apnea and left leg disability are not service-connected.,The Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but the right foot disability remains unaddressed due to a duty-to-assist error.,Tinnitus is service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee lateral instability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation due to slight instability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including abnormal gait, left and right knee disabilities, breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroenteritis, gallbladder removal, chronic constipation, bladder incontinence, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate, diabetes mellitus, and restless leg syndrome of the bilateral legs. The claims are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for right wrist condition, right knee condition, and GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including a bilateral foot condition, right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues related to tinnitus have been addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities require additional VA examinations to assess their current severity, as the previous examinations did not include range of motion studies in both active and passive motions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically addressing functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each.,The Veteran's left knee strain has also been granted an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, cyst in pancreas, right and left Achilles tendonitis, hemorrhoids, residuals of a cholecystectomy, cataracts and glaucoma, chronic kidney disease with hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis has been reopened.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to additional relevant evidence being received after the last AOJ adjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete service records. The issues of service connection for heart disease, bilateral knee disorders, elbow disorders, wrist disorder, hip disorders, shin splints, and GERD are being referred back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a toe disorder is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for bilateral eye disorder characterized as myopia and astigmatism was previously denied in March 2012, and the claim cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The effective date for service connection for PTSD is denied because VA did not receive a formal or informal claim within one year after separation from service. The claim was received on March 4, 2016.,The effective date for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied as the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to March 4, 2016.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain was previously denied in March 2012 and cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development regarding a right knee disability, as well as to address whether the reduction in PTSD evaluation was proper.

The Veteran's right lower extremity tibial neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8524.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, also the maximum rating available under DC 5260.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational experience.

The Veteran's GERD is service-connected, and his left knee disability is secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.,New evidence has been submitted that may support reopening of claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and status post arthroscopy due to meniscal tear, finding that the Veteran's current condition is proximately due to his service-connected left leg gunshot wound residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU must be remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from December 2018 onwards are needed, as well as medical opinions regarding the etiology of her left knee disability, cervical spine disability, sleep disorder, and whether her sleep disorder is aggravated by her service-connected bipolar disorder.