Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for keratosis of the feet and knees due to outstanding service treatment records from Ft. Polk.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine, chronic strain and arthritis of the right knee, and chronic strain and arthritis of the left knee. The conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to new and material evidence, but the claim is remanded as further medical examination is needed.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 or non-service-connected death pension.

The Board has found that the Veteran's period of service from July 19, 1974 to July 18, 1977 is honorable. The appeal for service connection during this period is granted.

The Veteran's left knee DJD resulted in a 10 percent rating, with no higher ratings granted. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for slight instability of the left knee from December 15, 2016.,For his right knee meniscus tear with DJD, he received a 10 percent rating, and a separate 10 percent rating for slight instability of the right knee from December 15, 2016. Neither condition warranted higher ratings.

Your appeal for service connection of a left knee disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied.,The Veteran's requests for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of sinusitis and rhinitis were denied.,The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 for service connection of right knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, right hand disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, erectile dysfunction, sleep-related disability (presumed to be sleep apnea), acquired psychiatric disability, heart disability, residuals of a stroke, hypertension, hiatal hernia, and gastrointestinal disability. The remand requires additional development including obtaining federal records from the Social Security Administration, scheduling an examination for the low back disability, and determining the nature and etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent based on limitation of flexion and instability. The Board has ordered a remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability, including range of motion testing and assessment of functional loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50%, migraine headaches are rated at 50%, and lumbosacral DDD, right knee cyst removal, right ear tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss are all rated at 10%. The combined rating for these conditions results in an 80% disability rating. The Veteran's appeal is denied as his PTSD does not warrant a higher than 50% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 23, 1998, for the grant of a TDIU rating because his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable before that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, left knee condition, and hypertension. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches on a presumptive basis. The cases of low back, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records, and requests that the Veteran provide authorization for obtaining his private treatment records from Resurgens Orthopaedics.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the onset of her current disabilities during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, sciatica in right lower extremity, and right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected left knee disability. The claims for these conditions are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hip, knee, and foot conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, right knee instability, and right knee degenerative joint disease due to missing medical records that could support a secondary service connection claim. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for private medical records and attend an examination to assess his current disability status.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied.,Service connection for colon cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer were all denied.,Service connection for left knee disorder and right knee disorder were both denied.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.