Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability, increased rating for low back disability, and initial compensable rating for right foot and left foot calluses.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's low back disability was not manifested by ankylosis nor did it require bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 40 percent disabling from October 6, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee, left knee disabilities, and residuals of right femur fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury as new and material evidence was not received, despite the Veteran having current degenerative changes in his knee.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee total replacement, finding that there was no basis to grant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee disability, insomnia, and initial rating for service-connected sinusitis have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal during a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have disabling left ear hearing loss for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology during service. Increased ratings for left knee and left hip disabilities are also remanded as additional examinations are needed in accordance with Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability and post-operative residuals of a hernia repair due to the need for additional development.,The issue of service connection for CRPS is also being remanded as there may be an association with the Veteran's headaches, requiring further examination.,Service connection for post-operative residuals of a hernia repair is being remanded because the evidence suggests it may have been aggravated by service. ,The issue of service connection for sinus disability is being remanded due to potential aggravation during service and current symptoms.,Service connection for back disability, secondary to left ankle disability, is also being remanded as there are indications that the Veteran's condition may be related to his service.,Service connection for stomach condition is being remanded because of potential association with service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically concerning functional loss during flare-ups and instability.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and ankle disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board denied service connection for depression as secondary to aortic valve replacement disability due to lack of evidence of current diagnosis. The claims for gout, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and left kidney disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and bilateral hearing loss as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities, and the Veteran's subjective complaints do not meet the criteria for functional impairment.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent evaluation, but not higher. The effective date for the award of a separate 20 percent evaluation for locking and dislocation of the semilunar cartilage remains December 28, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The left ankle disability is currently rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 22, 1997 for service connection of left knee strain, right knee strain, and right knee instability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disorder claim should be remanded for further action due to potential SSA and state disability benefits records.

The Board has not decided the service connection claims for low back and left knee disabilities. The claim for low back disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted, while the claim for left knee disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board is remanding the claims for fibromyalgia, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and TDIU prior to January 25, 2018 due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.