Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral syndrome warrants a 10 percent rating, but not higher. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification regarding who is the appellant in this appeal, as well as to obtain authorizations for outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted an increased rating of 30 percent for severe recurrent subluxation, and separate evaluations were granted for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion, limitation of flexion, and limitation of extension. A separate evaluation of 20 percent was also granted for a residual scar status post left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair surgery.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except eye problems, tinnitus, and stomach problems (undiagnosed or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom Gulf War illness) has been dismissed. The claim of service connection for left wrist disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a right foot disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder due to evidentiary development needs. The Veteran's service records are silent on these issues but he reported injuries during basic training and at Fort Leonard Wood Army Base.

The Board has decided to remand several claims related to the Veteran's left femur and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the disability rating claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for her bilateral foot disability, hand disability, knee disability, cerebrovascular accident residuals, and costochondritis. The RO is instructed to obtain any relevant medical records and provide a new VA examination for her hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, and right shoulder strain.,The Veteran's current knee and shoulder disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety condition is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected bladder cancer.,The Veteran's BUE neuropathy and right knee arthritis are both granted as they are related to in-service exposure or injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee impairments, as well as cervical degenerative disc disease and c-spine fusion, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,New evidence has been submitted that may affect the outcome of these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of active service.,The evidence reflects the Veteran's preexisting left knee condition underwent a permanent increase in severity beyond the natural progression during the Veteran's period of service. The right knee condition did not have onset during active service, was not caused by active service, and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of active service.

The Veteran's TDIU due to PTSD alone is granted from June 1, 2015. SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(2) is granted from June 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left knee and lumbar spine disorders as secondary to service-connected right knee instability and/or chondromalacia patella due to inadequate etiology opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left and right knees is related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for his claims of entitlement to service connection for a cyst and/or benign growth of the bilateral knees, as well as his claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for joint disease with baker's cyst of the right knee (claimed as bilateral knee pain with arthritis) and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for joint disease with baker's cyst of the left knee (claimed as bilateral knee pain with arthritis). The claims are being remanded due to a lack of adequate examination regarding the severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an eye condition, right knee disability, and back disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The eye condition claim was denied as there is no diagnosed eye condition other than refractive errors. Right knee and back disability claims require further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and neck disability.,The Board has also determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and neck disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The issue of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a proper medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis for such.,Service connection for gum disease was denied because it does not constitute a compensable disability for VA compensation purposes.,Claims for total disability ratings due to hospital treatment or observation and convalescence have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting the required periods of hospitalization or convalescence.,Spousal aid and attendance prior to October 22, 2018 was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's ex-spouse needed regular aid and attendance.,Service connection for peripheral vestibular disease (PVD) has been remanded due to a conclusory opinion from the VA examiner.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss have been remanded as the Veteran alleges worsening since his last examination in October 2017.,Claims for various ankle, elbow, hip, knee, and shoulder conditions have all been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.