Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues with scheduled VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, but he experienced significant functional limitations. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.,For the left knee strain, there is no evidence of compensable limitation beyond the minimum required by Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion).,Similarly, for right knee strain, there is no evidence of compensable limitation beyond the minimum required by Diagnostic Code 5261 (limitation of extension).,The Veteran's hypothyroidism does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7903.,There is insufficient evidence to support service connection for COPD or Sleep Apnea.,Service connection for Chloracne was denied due to lack of nexus between current condition and in-service exposure.,No new evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for skin disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Veteran has not established qualifying ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA service on March 5, 2000, which may be necessary to substantiate his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the right knee and left knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, as they do not cause him to be permanently bedridden or require regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements indicate significant limitations, and a VA examiner provided an opinion linking early onset traumatic arthritis to the Veteran’s history of parachuting during service.

Service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, and left ankle has been granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar related to right ankle surgery is denied. The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,His tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for a herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine, as secondary to his service-connected knee condition. The increased rating claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee joint effusion and early degenerative joint disease have been granted a 10% evaluation.,Right knee instability has been granted a 10% rating prior to January 23, 2018. From March 18, 2019 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the manifestations of his condition and determine if there is any functional loss due to pain or other symptoms during flare-ups.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been rated at 10 percent prior to March 24, 2010 and at 20 percent thereafter.,Higher ratings for the knees are not warranted as there is no evidence of instability or severe joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disability and for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain all relevant records, including SSA records, and arrange for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sinusitis and GERD have been withdrawn.,Service connection has not been granted for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, or lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease.

The Board has restored service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee condition, colon condition (claimed as colon polyps), and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board denied his claim for an increased rating.,The Veteran’s thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial in 2012.,No specific exposure basis was provided for any of the conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection for a meniscal tear in the left knee, including considering recent MRI findings and an NIH study.