Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee condition may be related to his active service, but needs further examination and evidence before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee injury, low back disability, and chest pain due to incomplete STRs and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The current ratings are deemed appropriate.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected nightmare disorder, left knee degenerative joint disease s/p arthroscopy and chondroplasty of lateral femoral condyle and partial lateral meniscectomy, and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining VA treatment records prior to 2008 and SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating and temporary total evaluation following surgery were denied as the evidence did not support an increased disability rating or extended convalescence period.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of an appendectomy was reopened and granted service connection. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had an appendectomy during service, thus granting service connection.,Service connection for PVD was denied because the evidence did not show a relationship between the condition and service or secondary to service-connected pes planus. The VA examiner opined that the PVD was related to diabetes rather than service or service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's shoulder condition claim was denied as there is no direct link to service, nor can it be considered secondary to service-connected pes planus. The Board found insufficient evidence of a current disability and lack of nexus opinions from medical professionals.,Service connection for the left leg or knee condition was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing a relationship between the Veteran's in-service activities and his current condition. The VA examiner concluded that there is no direct service connection, nor can it be considered secondary to service-connected pes planus.,The Veteran's claim for shortness of breath was denied as he did not provide sufficient evidence or argument regarding any in-service event, disease, or injury related to the symptom.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran's right knee, right leg length discrepancy, and right hip osteoarthritis post arthroplasty are all being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, left knee meniscal tear, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral pes planus. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, liver disability (including hepatitis C), right ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, and cervical spine disability, are remanded due to missing records and incomplete treatment information.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's ratings for left and right knee strain were restored to 30 percent effective February 1, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, knee, and low back disabilities are not service-connected.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for headaches and muscle aches, both claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's spondylosis cervical spine, recurrent lumbar strain, right knee instability, and left knee limitation of motion have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also received a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for left knee degenerative arthritis and erectile dysfunction, both secondary to his service-connected conditions. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee chondromalacia and lung problems to include emphysema and COPD have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with residuals of lower back injury is also denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including arthritis and instability, are rated at 10 percent each. The Veteran also has a separate 10 percent rating for PFB.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is related to service and service connection for this condition has been granted. The issues regarding a right ankle disability and shin splints are remanded.