Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for headaches as the Veteran did not present evidence of a current disability and no nexus to service. The right ankle rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, but restored due to lack of proper procedural steps.,For the period prior to April 27, 2016, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his disabilities affected a single body system and were severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection.,Other conditions, including right hand surgery residuals, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, and right flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, are also granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are each granted a 10 percent initial rating, but no more. The conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on additional symptoms or limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, cervical spine condition, back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder), stomach condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, chronic fatigue, and sleep apnea. The Board also denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left ankle disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues of service connection, including for lower back, right shoulder, right hip, right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as degenerative osteoarthritis, is granted service connection. The Board also found that her low back and right hip disorders are related to her service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected knee conditions have worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for coccygeal strain, lumbar strain, left hip DJD status post stress fracture, and acne dermatillomania as secondary to service-connected obsessive compulsive disorder. Service connection was denied for left knee strain, right hip strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion. The Board has granted separate ratings for instability, locking, pain, and effusion in each knee.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and internal derangement (meniscal and ACL tears), is rated at a 30 percent evaluation for the period beginning July 15, 2016. The rating takes into account his limitation of extension to 20 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his low back, knee, shoulder, and hamstring disabilities due to lack of updated treatment records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disability have been granted service connection, but the TDIU claim was denied. The effective date for PTSD is December 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new and relevant evidence added to the record since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case in June 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and Achilles tendinopathy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC and Dr. P.I., and conduct additional development as needed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure of the RO to issue a supplemental statement of the case following an August 2017 VA examination.