Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 24, 2003 for the awards of service connection for degenerative joint disease, left knee patellofemoral syndrome; mild degenerative joint disease, right knee chondromalacia patella; and thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ will need to obtain additional VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service or other periods of service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the total knee arthroplasty with residual pain and weakness, is granted as service-connected. The issues of arthritis in all joints (excluding left shoulder and right knee), low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypogonadism with erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the inextricability with his pending increased rating appeal for left knee disorder. The hearing on his TDIU claim will be deferred until after the hearing on his left knee disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was evaluated at 30 percent prior to July 31, 2015, and no higher. The increased rating claim from that date forward is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities. However, these issues are still being remanded due to insufficient evidence in some areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and a need for an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including a medial meniscal tear, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims, and there is no current disability or relationship between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hand condition, left knee disability, and right knee disability is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions prior to May 26, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, right and left knee disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, right and left wrist disabilities, and benign lipoma of the left thigh status post excision and infected sebaceous cyst of the left axilla due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an upper back disability, a right knee disability, and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, asthma, left foot disability, and migraine headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional evaluations. The increased rating claims for right knee disorder and left knee disorder are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient or speculative opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include PTSD, cold injury residuals of the feet, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right wrist disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their severity, but the appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if service connection can be established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as she has not yet been evaluated by VA regarding her ability to work due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.