Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, right wrist dislocation, left knee medial meniscus tear post medial meniscectomy, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU claims are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's right hip disorder with right hamstring strain has been granted a higher rating of 20 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's right thigh limited abduction has also been granted a higher rating of 10 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected right knee disability was dismissed as the appellant wished to withdraw all remaining issues associated with this appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as her left knee arthritis and arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issues include whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims, and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, headaches with dizziness, and left thumb disability. The appeals are now pending before VA for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of a left inguinal hernia was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for his left ankle condition, claimed as secondary to service-connected right ankle sprain, was also denied due to lack of evidence supporting causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for residuals of meniscal tear of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, left and right knee disabilities, and PTSD. Additional development is required to obtain VA treatment records, disability retirement records from the Railroad Retirement Board, and in-service psychiatric treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred during service or as a result of an in-service injury, disease, or event. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, shoulder osteoarthritis, tinnitus, knee degenerative arthritis, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for blindness, glaucoma, hypertension, TBI, rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, left elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, numbness and stiffness in the right toes, numbness, pain, and tingling in the left leg, joint pain and swelling in the jaw, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral pes planus, left foot bunions, right foot bunions, residuals of a rib fracture, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, tonsillitis, dizzy spells, chronic fatigue disorder, pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat), allergy disorder, breathing disorder, sleep apnea, heart disorder manifest by an irregular heartbeat, ulcer, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorder manifested by gas and stomach problems, GERD, kidney disorder, residuals of a left chest lipoma, obesity, left arm disorder, and numbness, pain, and stiffness in the fingers.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent disability rating, effective January 17, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (including as secondary to cervical spine disability), and left knee disability. The Board found that the pre-existing cervical spine disability did not worsen during service, and there was no evidence of a current lumbar or left knee disability related to service. The Veteran's left knee disability is presumed to have been sound at entry into service.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, left ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, lower back condition, and headaches is denied as there are no new or material evidence to reopen the claims. The current rating for PTSD already covers her anxiety and depression symptoms.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left knee instability, bilateral dry eyes, and right foot injury residuals have been granted at a 20 percent rating each. The appeal is now remanded for further evaluation of the left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left knee arthrotomy residuals was denied. The VA determined that the current limitation of motion in flexion (to 130 degrees) does not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations in October 2017. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right leg and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disorders. The Veteran is advised to provide any additional medical evidence and report for scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension and instability were restored to their previous ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, effective May 1, 2015.