Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA disability determination records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD of the left knee has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for arthritis of the right great toe. However, the claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, and TDIU are still pending and need further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the cervical spine disorder claim, as there was no etiological opinion linking the current condition to military service.,For the lumbar spine disorder, the Board also found no new and material evidence, as the Veteran's statements did not provide any additional information or opinions regarding a link between his military service and the diagnosed condition. The same conclusion was reached for other conditions such as left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, right foot, cardiomegaly, hernia disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disorder and found that the reduction in his rating from 40 percent to 30 percent was improper. The Veteran is entitled to restoration of his previous 40 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and other disabilities, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The decision is denied as his unemployability is primarily due to a non-service connected stroke.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for synovitis of the right ankle and granted it. The claims for vascular insufficiency and edema in the right lower extremity, back condition, and right knee condition are still pending.,Service connection was denied for vascular insufficiency and edema in the right lower extremity due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right knee arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and multiple sclerosis, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the right knee claim and concluding that there is insufficient evidence linking the neurological disability (including multiple sclerosis) to service or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran through his representative.

The Board has denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back arthritis, neck condition, bilateral hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral feet arthritis have been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction has been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left foot hallux valgus deformity, and hypertension. The Veteran's representative contends that the Veteran’s sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that no claim to reopen was received prior to January 22, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total disability rating based on surgical convalescence beyond August 1, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not support severe postoperative residuals such as incompletely healed wounds or immobilization.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service and that both conditions pre-existed service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including reopening of service connection claims and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability, as well as her increased rating claims for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral foot disability related to service or a service-connected condition. For the knees, the Board noted no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's right knee disability and depressive disorder were evaluated, with the right knee receiving a combined rating of 20 percent from December 14, 2017, and the depressive disorder receiving separate ratings of 30 percent since February 26, 2009, and 50 percent since April 6, 2011. The appeals were denied as there was no evidence supporting a higher rating for either condition.