Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% effective December 1, 2008. The right knee disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scapholunate ligament sprain of the left wrist and lateral meniscus tear of the left knee are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. A new examination is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability, including as due to service-connected residuals of a right tibia and fibula fracture with arthritic changes of the right knee; a left hip disability; and radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's mechanical back pain due to chronic muscle strain is rated at 20 percent. The right knee disability, which the Veteran contends is secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities, remains in dispute and must be remanded for further examination and opinion. The TDIU claim will also be remanded as the Veteran has not provided a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the left inferior pubic ramus, right midfoot and calcaneal, and right tibia and knee have been rated at their minimum levels due to lack of additional functional impairment during flare-ups or after repetitive use.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of treatment records, requiring further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, bone spurs of the cervical spine, herniated disc of the lumbar spine, DJD of the left knee, residuals of a head injury with concussion/TBI, migraine headaches, and Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. The Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues during a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right patellar tendonitis, but granted a rating of 10% for right patellar tendonitis prior to April 15, 2016. The appeal regarding left knee disability is referred back to the AOJ due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to inadequate examination results, need for proper notice of TDIU criteria, and potential extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have or has had a current diagnosis of a bilateral hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left leg disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for PTSD were denied. The right wrist and left knee disabilities are rated at the minimum levels, and there is no indication of a new or material issue that would warrant reopening the claim for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left knee and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current disability status. The Veteran needs a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of current disability. The claims for right knee disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bronchitis and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims for left knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, headaches, erectile dysfunction, depression and anxiety, chest pains, blurred vision, and dizziness are pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and cause of the Veteran's right knee disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including left elbow, right elbow, low back, left knee, and right knee conditions. The reasons include insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions and a need for further examination to address the Veteran's lay statements about chronic symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 20 percent since February 16, 2012. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.,The claim for a higher rating for the right knee condition prior to February 16, 2012, is dismissed as the Veteran's highest disability rating was 40 percent from May 14, 2010.