Knee Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral ear disability as she withdrew her appeals prior to a decision being made. The claims of service connection for multiple sclerosis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's insomnia disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board found no evidence of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear with arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of additional limitations due to pain or instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his weight gain and if that weight gain contributed to his development of sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to conflicting opinions from a previous VA examiner and the need for further clarification.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is related to treatment in January 1992.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 10 percent rating for a painful left knee scar is granted. The Board found the evidence supported a finding that the scar was both painful and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage, warranting a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as inadequate VA opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The appeal for TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for left knee disorder due to procedural issues, including failure to report for VA examinations. The Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to her service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's flexion contracture of the left fifth digit PIP has been granted an initial compensable rating.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is denied.,Service connection for left shoulder strain is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal on this issue.,Service connection for spinal fusion, left knee strain, status post arthroscopy, hearing loss, right side and hypertension are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with intervertebral disc disease is rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was found to be less than 30 degrees.,The Veteran's right hip strain is rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating due to limitation of abduction with motion lost beyond 10 degrees, extension limited to 5 degrees, and flexion limited to 45 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, right foot condition, and increased evaluation for tinnitus were dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for various knee disabilities, shoulder conditions, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's right-knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis is rated at 30 percent from January 24, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA is required to obtain medical records, provide a new examination, and complete the necessary forms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the current condition is not related to service.,The claims for secondary service connection for low back and right knee disabilities are denied because the Veteran does not have a currently service-connected primary disability. ,The claim for TDIU is denied as the Veteran has no service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and left wrist disabilities due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for a back condition and right knee condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, specifically requesting that the Veteran provide or authorize VA to obtain relevant treatment records and obtaining an addendum opinion regarding aggravation of hip and knee disabilities by a service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's left foot disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disability are inadequate. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further development.