Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disorder, and higher ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities affecting both the sciatic and femoral nerves are being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his diagnoses and etiology. Effective dates prior to November 16, 2012, for the assignment of 20 percent ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities affecting the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee has been rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion since October 1, 2012. The rating was increased to 30 percent for limitation of extension from November 24, 2009 through September 30, 2012 and then decreased back down to 10 percent on and after October 1, 2012. The left knee has been rated at 10 percent since October 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including swollen left hand, chest pain, TMJ, right and left knee disabilities, abdominal disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, and right arm disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to her service-connected left hip disability, and thus remands the case for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability and left knee disability due to insufficient examination findings regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's alcohol dependence and polysubstance abuse are not service-connected as they resulted from his own willful misconduct.,His bilateral hip arthritis is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of discharge and there is no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial increased rating for tinnitus due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection and ratings for various disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied service connection for left shoulder and knee disorders. The effective date of the grant is January 12, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, right hip strain with degenerative joint disease, and right knee strain were granted effective November 17, 2006.,An additional 10% evaluation for limitation of adduction of the right hip was granted effective October 30, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The Board will determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining employment.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted service connection. The rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 9, 2016 remains at 10 percent and after that date is denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral shoulder, hip, knee, ankle disabilities and depression. The claims for left ear hearing loss were reopened based on new evidence received since the April 1985 rating decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a dental disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, and migraine headaches. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support an in-service event or disease related to any of these disabilities.

The Board has denied an increased rating for chronic thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and has remanded issues of service connection for right hip, left hip, and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle, right ankle, and left knee disorders are remanded due to the need for updated examinations that comply with VA examination requirements.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of recent VA examination for the service-connected lumbosacral strain and left knee strain.

The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a medial collateral ligament tear of the right knee is being remanded due to insufficient examination findings and additional VA treatment reports need to be considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is reopened and granted. A 10 percent rating is assigned for the right great toe fracture.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, hypertension, and headaches. The appeals are granted to this extent only.