Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for right knee instability from September 24, 2015. A TDIU is granted effective July 24, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations for his lumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, left shoulder, residuals of a mild concussion, bilateral hearing loss, plantar warts, left knee and femur, right foot disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, respiratory disorder, cardiovascular disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and residuals of an allergy to bee sting.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence shows the condition began during service and has been recurrent since then. The appeal is based on merits rather than reopening.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is granted service connection, and her polyuria and dysuria claim is dismissed. The Veteran's initial increased rating for right shoulder myofascial pain syndrome remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, including gastritis, is granted as new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection for the duodenum condition, colon condition, abdominal hernia, left knee condition, and skin conditions are denied due to lack of in-service event or disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis, status post repair of ACL and meniscus was denied. However, the Veteran was granted a separate 20 percent rating for his left knee semilunar cartilage condition with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but the other issues related to left knee instability and range of motion are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's service records show complaints of pain during service but no current diagnosis or disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 2015, and the effective date for his TDIU is set at June 7, 2018.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided to the Veteran are inadequate and remands several issues for further development, including a new examination for hypothyroidism and cardiac arrhythmia. The claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, hypoglycemic seizures, lumbar strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, mitral valve prolapse, and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a left knee disability and found that it had its onset during active duty. The decision is based on new evidence showing current diagnosis, in-service symptoms, and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of examination of the left knee and an incomplete evaluation of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and causation of the Veteran's left knee disorder. The VA examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with plantar calcaneal.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is granted as service-connected due to in-service wear and tear. The respiratory condition (pneumonia) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee disability, joint stiffness (claimed as bursitis), headaches, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to exposure in the Gulf War.

Your initial rating for right knee osteoarthritis has been increased to 20 percent effective April 2014. The appeal seeking a higher rating for your right knee condition is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, tailbone disability, bilateral knee condition, bilateral foot impairment, bilateral ankle disorder, right foot calcaneal spur, and residuals of a pilonidal cyst excision. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury playing football.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 30 percent, his right knee retropatellar pain syndrome and instability are each rated at 10 percent, and he has a separate 10 percent rating for his right knee scars. These ratings are effective from the date of the claim in June 2014.