Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the opinions provided and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee injury is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder condition is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for intestinal problems is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and awarded a separate 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee disability with moderate lateral instability. The current 10 percent rating for limitation of motion remains in place.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of left shoulder disability due to incomplete VA examination records and failure to address functional loss during flare-ups. The Veteran's right knee disability is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for circadian rhythm sleep disorder and right knee patella tendonitis. The left ring finger disability remains at the maximum available rating, while a remand is ordered to determine the nature of any current left knee condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left wrist disability, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, GERD, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress were granted effective July 10, 2015. The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities. The Veteran's lumbar spine osteoarthritis claim also requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, hypertension, low back injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete treatment records. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional examinations will be required.

The Veteran's left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion is granted a separate 20 percent rating. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion left knee disability and entitlement to a total rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral eye disability, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the October 2016 VA examination.,The Board deems the Veteran’s request for a Travel Board hearing withdrawn.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion. The Veteran was found to have flexion limited to at worst 110 degrees and extension limited to 0 degrees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for his right knee arthritis, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for acid reflux, cervical spine disorder, upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, shoulder disorder, knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen these previously denied claims.,Service connection for costochondritis was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and active service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand and fingers degenerative arthritis, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), headaches, a flu-like condition, bronchitis, a left knee and leg condition, and a right knee condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right hip strain with arthritis, limitation of abduction, adduction, and rotation of the right hip, limitation of flexion of the right hip, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee associated with right hip strain with arthritis due to increased disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, PTSD, chronic cephalgia, and right eye conjunctival laceration is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and right knee strain with limited flexion and painful motion are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear reasons and bases provided in the April 2018 decision. The issues are related as they all involve disabilities that pre-existed service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of heart attack, hypertension pressure, and asthma have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues including right knee, lower back condition, left knee disabilities, and rating claims.

The Veteran's DJD of the right knee was denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to December 16, 2013.,The Veteran's DJD of the right knee was denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent from December 16, 2013.,A separate 20 percent evaluation for a torn right meniscus was granted.