Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for his service-connected left levator scapulae tendonitis with degenerative changes, left knee instability, and left knee patellofemoral chondromalacia. He also seeks service connection for a right knee condition secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities and PTSD with sleep disturbances.

The appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to TDIU is dismissed. The reduction of the rating for anxiety disorder from 50% to noncompensable, effective May 1, 2014, was improper, and the 50% rating is restored. Appeals regarding right wrist sprain, right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), and a rating in excess of 50% for anxiety disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left knee disability were denied service connection.,A compensable rating for the Veteran's deviated nasal septum, status post nasal fracture is being remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted service connection.,Service connection for a neck disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's eye disability is presumed to be related to his service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. However, there is no evidence that the current vision loss and glaucoma are directly related to his military service.,The Veteran's right knee disability may be related to combat activities in Vietnam, but a VA examination is needed to determine if this condition has a causal relationship with his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and also because of concerns about obesity as an intermediate step between the disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss under VA criteria.,Prior to November 3, 2015, the Veteran's right knee scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From that date onwards, she met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his total knee replacement and instability, is rated at 30 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative joint disease with left quadriceps atrophy was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of flexion or extension to a level that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied because his combined disability rating is 10 percent, which does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knees prior to March 14, 2011 were denied. The right knee was rated at 20% under DC 5258 and the left knee was rated at 20% under DC 5258 with a separate 10% rating for subluxation under DC 5257. Separate ratings under DCs 5003/5010, 5260, and/or 5261 were not granted due to pyramiding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in these matters. The Veteran is not shown to have a hearing loss disability, and his right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), PTSD, and low back disability due to unresolved issues.,Service connection was denied for TMJ joint dysfunction, left mandible, status post fracture.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted service connection, and his erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, depressive disorder, back disability, bilateral hip and foot disabilities, and hernia (right inguinal) has been granted. However, the claims for sleep disorder secondary to a service-connected disability and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disability prior to July 2015, 2013 and after September 1, 2014 are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and degenerative osteoarthritis, lumbar spine. The cases are now remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased rating as they have been granted by the RO.

The Veteran's testicular cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for other conditions, including stage 4 undifferentiated metastatic carcinoma and its associated neoplasms, as these are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for testicular cancer.

The Veteran's right knee disability is related to an in-service injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete examination findings.