Knee Board decisions

The appeal for a higher initial rating for right shin splints is dismissed. The claims of service connection for left knee disability and left shin splints are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the award of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus severed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, including a torn biceps tendon and a torn rotator cuff, as well as a torn meniscus of the left knee. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to July 10, 2008.,A higher rating for the cervical spine condition is denied beginning July 10, 2008.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability received a 10 percent initial rating. A higher rating is denied.,For her left knee disability, a 10 percent rating was granted prior to February 13, 2018. A higher rating is denied beginning from that date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of spermatocele removal and right inguinal hernia are granted. The left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the OSA and asthma at 50 percent, and hypertension remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee disability, thyroid disability, allergies, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of service connection are being remanded due to the absence of VA examination reports and outstanding treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative joint disease of the left knee due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his breathing problems are not. The other conditions have been denied due to lack of in-service stressors or no current disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for service connection for various foot and knee conditions, including bilateral shin splints, ankle disorders, pes planus, and low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after the last supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran is required to provide additional service treatment records and personnel records, as well as undergo VA examinations for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that more information is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, sickle cell trait, back disability, hip disability, knee disability, loss of use of bilateral lower extremities, TDIU, and DEA.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal concerning bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing it. Other issues are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right collarbone disability, granted service connection for a left knee disability, and denied service connection for tuberculosis. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability was received by the RO on March 19, 2013. There is no evidence of record to show that there was any communication from the Veteran indicating the intent to apply for service connection for a right knee disability between the final April 2010 rating decision and prior to March 19, 2013.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right or left shoulder disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.,For the periods relevant to this appeal, the Veteran's right knee ACL tear with pain and limitation of motion has been manifested primarily by loss of flexion to 90 degrees and loss of extension up to 5 degrees. The criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent under DC 5260 are not met.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's lay statements regarding chronic pain since his in-service injury are considered, along with records from 1993 and 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including strain with degenerative joint disease and retropatellar pain syndrome, is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted.,Anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent based on occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected left knee disability or if it was aggravated by that condition.