Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for right knee and back disabilities remain denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right elbow, wrist, knee conditions, as well as residuals of traumatic brain injury due to a lack of a VA examination.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability based on new and material evidence was denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and dislocated semilunar cartilage, is rated at 20 percent since May 16, 2011. A separate 10 percent rating for arthritis with painful motion is granted from the same date. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including residuals of an anterior cruciate ligament repair surgery, is related to his in-service injuries and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 10, 2010, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for left knee tendonitis due to inadequate VA examinations. A new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as secondary to a back disorder. Additional medical opinions are required to address the nature and etiology of any current or previously-diagnosed knee disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right thumb disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 3, 2014 are denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as he has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his in-service injury during basic training, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee arthritis was granted with an effective date of August 11, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board found that it did not warrant a compensable rating prior to March 9, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C was dismissed due to withdrawal of the issues by the Veteran at his hearing. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee injury was also dismissed as there is no evidence showing that VA's care caused an additional disability.

The Veteran's TMJ disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for chest pain, right wrist disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective April 17, 2012, and his claims for increased ratings for IVDS, right knee medial meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, and prior to April 17, 2012 are remanded.

The Board denied entitlement to extraschedular evaluations for service-connected right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the schedular ratings adequately described the Veteran's disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, liver damage, and a right knee disability were denied. The claim for service connection of the right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders, including a back disorder, left knee disorders, right knee disorders, left ankle disorders, and left elbow disorders. The decision also includes an issue regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons for the remand include the need to verify periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), provide a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions, and determine if any are related to the September 1987 motor vehicle accident.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and requests for new evaluations.