Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for a right ankle fracture.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, osteophytosis, and facet hypertrophy, is service-connected as it was caused by his duty specialty of Boatswain Mate.

The Veteran was granted an extraschedular TDIU for the period prior to October 31, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints and bilateral knee disability have also been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, knee, and ankle disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if her current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, liver disorder, and disability manifested by pain in the bilateral ankles, knees, shoulders, low back, and neck due to incomplete development. The kidney disorder claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date for service connection for tinnitus is April 20, 2017, the earliest date of receipt of a claim.,For left knee disability (status post total left knee replacement), the effective date is June 24, 2015, based on the date of surgery. For left knee scar, the effective date is August 25, 2016, based on the date of receipt of a claim.,For right knee DJD with limitation of extension, the earliest effective date is October 21, 2015. The effective dates for other issues are April 20, 2017 and March 22, 2017 respectively.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, left knee condition, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further examination and determination.,The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma, left knee condition, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of erectile dysfunction, left hip disability, low back disability and right shoulder disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee was granted with an initial evaluation of 10 percent effective June 6, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and a right knee disability, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.,For other issues such as hearing loss and gastrointestinal disabilities, additional evidence is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and right knee disability were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if any current right knee disability began in or is otherwise caused by his active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings in writing prior to the hearing, thus all issues on appeal are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residual scars has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, intermittent numbness of the left hand and fingers, and intermittent numbness of the left knee and lower leg have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD has been remanded to obtain a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected back conditions, resection of the large intestine, and removal of left kidney have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded due to the interrelated nature with other increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound is remanded due to the need for further examination regarding his reported incontinence symptoms and inability to stand for more than 2 minutes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis and associated left ankle fracture residuals is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and erectile dysfunction due to new evidence received since previous denials. The claims are further addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Bilateral pes planus, bilateral valgus deformity, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral subtalar joint dislocation are all granted as secondary to the now-service-connected bilateral pes planus. ,Degenerative joint disease of the feet is also granted as service-connected.,Pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include low back, left hip, and left knee disorders as well as a TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder.