Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the current disabilities are not related to in-service noise exposure or injury.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 20 percent for recurrent subluxation of the right knee under Diagnostic Code 5258, which is the maximum and only rating permitted for such impairment. The Veteran's service-connected depression due to another medical condition with depressed features was also recently granted an evaluation of 50 percent effective October 25, 2017.

The Veteran's left knee TKA is related to his service-connected right knee disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's arthrofibrosis of the left knee with limitation of motion, status post manipulation under anesthesia is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a delay in physical therapy treatment after his total left knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, uncontrollable twitching, vertigo, PTSD, asthma, skin disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,There was no medical opinion linking any of these conditions to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right elbow disorder and right upper extremity neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various conditions, including right wrist sprain, lumbar strain, hip trochanteric bursitis, ankle sprains, and headaches, are also remanded.

This decision denies service connection for vertigo, eye irritation, a left knee disability, shortness of breath, and a disability manifesting in memory loss, fatigue, and numbness of the left leg (claimed as demyelinating disorder and multiple sclerosis). The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically related to flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's use of his VA-issued knee brace for his service-connected right knee disability tends to wear or tear his clothing, and the Board has granted a clothing allowance for 2015 based on this.

The Veteran's right knee brace caused tears in his clothing, and the Board granted a clothing allowance for calendar year 2014 based on this evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The issues include psychiatric, knee, and respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary heart disease (claimed as enlarged heart) has been reopened and granted.,An effective date of April 24, 2010 is assigned for the award of service connection for sleep apnea. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale; thus, a higher rating cannot be granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and right foot disorder are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder (secondary to sleep apnea) is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete examination reports and need for clarification regarding the Veteran's knee conditions, including flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of various joints and peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy. These include shoulder, spine, hip, knee conditions as well as bilateral lower extremity conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The left knee disability and dental surgery issues were remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right shoulder, left wrist, left leg, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and facial disabilities. The Veteran's claims for myofascial pain syndrome (right pectoral muscle), right foot disability (right great toe), nasal disability, hemorrhoids, mole on the outside of his right knee, and bruxism are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, which is believed to be related to service. The Veteran will need to provide information for obtaining additional medical records and undergo a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination and requests for additional evidence.