Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and skin cancer are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability. The AOJ should assign an initial rating for the period prior to July 20, 2010 before the Board adjudicates the merits of the initial rating assigned for the disability.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for right knee strain from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective July 11, 2017, was improper and has ordered restoration of the prior rating. The Veteran's cervical spine, depressive disorder, lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and scar, residual injury right ring finger disabilities are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip and knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms of the left hip or knee disability meeting or approximating the criteria for an increased rating based on either limited extension, flexion, adduction, or abduction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability, which he contends is related to his service-connected right knee disability, requires further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left femur, left tibia and fibula fracture, and left leg scar have been denied as there is no evidence of the required criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no in-service injury or disease linked to the current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations, and a new examination is required.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, sleep disturbances, IBS, and left ankle fracture residuals are dismissed.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 28, 2006. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU based on a single service connected disability (PTSD and fibromyalgia).

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, cervical spondylosis, tinnitus, tinea versicolor, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited flexion, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited extension, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with impairment of the thigh, right knee strain, left knee strain, thoracolumbar strain, right shoulder scars, status-post surgery, left ingrown toenails, and migraine headaches have all been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim has also been denied for periods when a 100% rating was granted due to surgical convalescence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, neck disability, low back pain, bilateral knee disabilities, cephalgia, hand tremors, restless leg syndrome, and respiratory insufficiency are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for acquired psychological disability is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of documentation for notice regarding a scheduled VA examination for the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran was unable to attend the October 22, 2018 examination due to being ill and provided good cause.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for diabetes mellitus, denied service connection for low back disability and right knee disability, and denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, left knee chondromalacia with subluxation, right small finger degenerative arthritis, upper and mid dorsal spine limitation of extension, and residual surgical scar of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and for obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability, including diagnoses of derangement, sprain, and pes anserine bursitis, is being evaluated by a clinician.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, right knee condition, brain condition, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's treatment records need to be obtained, including VA and private records from before 1998.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right knee disability and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nexus between the right knee disability and service. The Veteran's allegations of injury in service and explanation for lack of treatment, as well as the statement of Dr. LJM, will be considered.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and an inadequate September 2012 VA examination.