Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, which required a total knee arthroplasty in December 2014, is as likely as not caused by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability have not been rated higher than the current noncompensable evaluations. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left total knee arthoplasty and hearing loss have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The appeal for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and instability of the left knee is dismissed.,The Veteran's PTSD rating remains at 70 percent, with no higher rating granted due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which include dysthymic disorder, right elbow strain, and right knee strain. The left knee disorder remains denied as not incurred in or related to active service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War is also being considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and PTSD. The claim for right hip disability remains pending as new evidence has not been provided to reopen it. The rating for lumbar osteoarthritis needs to be reconsidered.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between current low back issues and service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for residuals of a left tibia fracture is denied.,An initial 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, for the scar associated with the total knee replacement is granted.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including for his acquired psychiatric disorder and skin disorders. The claims of back disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, cold injury residuals in the upper thigh area, and pediculosis pubis have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis of the knees and a back disability have been reopened, but denied on their merits. The claim for skin disease of the face has also been reopened, but denied on its merits.,The Veteran's laceration scar of the left lower leg remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee conditions, tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis. Service connection was granted for PTSD with a rating of 50%.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various joint disorders, including myalgia, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses include cystic growth on the right elbow, arthritis in the left elbow, and degenerative changes in the right and left knees and hips.,The Board also remanded the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tension headaches and the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and hernia disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for left knee disorder and right hip disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders due to secondary service-connected bilateral foot hallus valgus. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to the service-connected condition.

The claims for service connection for a right knee condition, an ankle condition, and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for a left knee condition is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete evidence and a need for further consideration of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical condition, bilateral knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss, headache, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are related to undiagnosed illnesses or secondary to a service-connected disability (angioedema).

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are manifested by at least painful and limited motion. The Board has granted a rating of at least 10 percent for each knee disability, but the appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.