Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis (psoriatic arthritis) is service connected. However, his bilateral total knee replacement was due to osteoarthritis and not related to psoriatic arthritis or Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of the disabilities prior to February 11, 2015, or from February 11, 2015, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic lumbar strain with arthritis and degenerative disc disease, left knee condition, right knee condition, left leg shin splints, and right leg shin splints due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder and tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and TBI. The appeals for these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a separate evaluation for left knee disability based upon locking and/or other manifestations of semilunar cartilage, as well as the claim for an extraschedular evaluation. The claims are pending due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The claim of service connection for a right knee disability is reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for a VA audiology evaluation to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The back, knee, sleep apnea, and sinus issues are also being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant as none are rated as permanent and total, nor does any cause vision impairment or inhalation injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis is granted a 40 percent rating, effective October 13, 2016.,Left knee patellofemoral syndrome issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's VA treatment records show current diagnoses of degenerative changes in his lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spines, as well as osteoarthritis in both knees. Further examination is needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities due to conflicting evidence and inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability (including right knee strain, degenerative arthritis, and medial compartment narrowing), and left knee strain were all granted service connection. The Veteran's clavicular pain was denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Acne vulgaris was also granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for otitis media was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for the right shoulder disorder was reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as service connection for it secondary to his left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition, but remanded the issue of service connection for his right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the lumbar spine sprain with degenerative arthritis is also rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.,Both disabilities have been evaluated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory of service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the VA needs to review his medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether he has an additional disability due to VA treatment in 2010, and the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, hip, great toe, cervical spine, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities. The Board also requires a new examination for these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his chronic leg pain, right leg impairment, right knee disability, right foot disability, and right hip muscle strain. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.