Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for kidney stones and PTSD with insomnia, as well as service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and left hip disability were granted effective September 26, 2017.,An earlier effective date is denied for the grants of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The remaining claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, seizure disability, blood clots in left hand and leg, left knee disability, sterility, and dental disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his chronic sinus disorder is denied.,An earlier effective date prior to March 21, 2013, for the award of service connection for his chronic sinus condition is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) remains in dispute as the Veteran's stressor claims have not been verified, but he provided additional information about his mental health symptoms.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for acid reflux secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for lower back disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for leg cramps secondary to his lower back disorder is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected rhinitis and chronic sinus condition remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of active duty service and need for further clarification on specific dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Appellant is also required to provide information about in-service incidents leading to his current conditions.

The Board denied service connection for lower back and cervical spine disorders, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot and right knee disabilities, as the prior VA opinion did not address if his service-connected right ankle and hip disabilities aggravated these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and seizure conditions were denied. The right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia was rated at 10% with separate ratings granted for painful motion of the knees. The complex partial seizures claim was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU application is remanded due to the need for updated employment information and a comprehensive examination assessing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work as a carpenter.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as he recently underwent total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's right knee sprain and left knee degenerative strain have been rated at 10% prior to the relevant dates. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, and pes planus disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and verification of exposure, stressors, and medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to his right knee disability. The claims are being remanded because of insufficient information in the VA examinations, particularly regarding the Veteran’s right knee prior to June 2016 and post total knee replacement surgery.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if it warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are granted as secondary to service-connected Parkinson’s disease.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee conditions and a lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and insomnia are dismissed. The claim of increased rating for asthma is denied, but a 30% rating is granted effective May 5, 2015. The right knee disability rating reduction from 10% to noncompensable is overturned, and the 10% rating is restored. The back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues are remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spondylolisthesis, and scoliosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis are all found to be secondary to the service-connected right fibula disability. The Veteran's right fibula disability is currently rated at 10%.

The Veteran's right and left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome were evaluated at 10 percent, effective November 5, 2012. The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings as the evidence did not show moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability in either knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his obesity due to service-connected left knee condition caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death.