Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep deprivation is denied as he does not have a diagnosed sleep disorder other than one associated with his psychiatric disorders.,The Veteran’s right shoulder disorder and bilateral knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and clarifying diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to in-service injuries. The Veteran and his fellow servicemembers provided statements supporting their in-service injuries. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to inadequate examination reports, missing medical records, and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new medical opinions from a qualified VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder with anxious distress features) have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to the lack of recent VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective December 13, 2007. The other issues remain remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his right knee conditions, limitation of extension of the right knee, and instability of the right knee have been dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, left foot disability, atrial fibrillation (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and chronic liver condition are remanded.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia with patellectomy and arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent prior to May 25, 2016. A separate 20 percent rating for painful limitation of flexion was granted for the left knee arthritis.,The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's knee disability was granted a single 60 percent rating for left knee DJD, status post arthroplasty from May 18, 2016. A TDIU was also granted effective from this date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection and increased rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a VA disability rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and skin disorder are remanded as the VA examiner did not provide a fully articulated medical rationale or consider all relevant evidence.,The Veteran's skin disorder is remanded due to inadequate consideration of exposure to burn pits in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee condition and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his current right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on remand include broken right hand, low back disability, left knee injury, TBI with residual effects and cognitive disorder, and a scar. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee arthritis, finding that it did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The earlier effective date prior to February 5, 2013 for a 10 percent rating for left knee meniscectomy with arthritis is denied. The Veteran's request for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the award of service connection for right knee instability, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and a left inguinal hernia scar should be December 15, 2013. The Veteran's original claim was submitted on December 15, 2014, more than one year after discharge from service. However, the Board notes that there is no evidence of Camp Lejeune service and thus cannot assign an earlier effective date based on this provision.