Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability and remanded it. The claims for chronic pain syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus, neurobehavioral effects secondary to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and psychiatric disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at a higher rate due to the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet, resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for lower back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's left knee meniscus tear with chondromalacia and lateral instability have not met the criteria for a higher rating, resulting in denial of his claims.

The Board has not reopened the claim of service connection for gout, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee arthritis. The Veteran's appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted and others were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and traumatic arthritis, as well as left knee degenerative joint disease. A new VA examination is needed due to incomplete information from the previous examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, finding that his military service caused this condition.

The Board previously denied an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia. The case is being remanded to obtain missing VA treatment records.

An effective date of August 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability and left knee disability secondary to his right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, headaches, and facial pain are all remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right calf, and left calf disabilities due to their potential relationship with the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of the right foot. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was granted, and the effective date is set at January 25, 2012.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss require further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cut on the stomach, residuals of a skull fracture (kicked in the head), and residuals of a fracture of the face and jaw. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability is denied. The Veteran's service-connected status post open reduction and internal fixation for left clavicle with residual left shoulder decreased mobility has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the left knee and status post right knee arthroscopic surgery with debridement are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient information in the medical examination provided. The examiner needs to clarify whether symptoms of knee and back disabilities exacerbate with use over time or during flare-ups, resulting in additional loss of range of motion.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, but denied service connection for cervical, right knee, left shoulder, and right hip conditions. The decision also remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability and an upper respiratory condition (including asthma) due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left ankle strain, myocardial infarction (coronary artery disease), PTSD, and left knee arthoplasty are all under review.