Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, but has remanded the cases of cervical spine disability, low back disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities. However, it was determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as pain disorder, is granted. Right ear hearing loss is also granted. However, left ear hearing loss and hyperlipidemia are denied.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities are rated at a maximum of 60 percent, including a separate rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage. The other conditions do not warrant additional increased ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability, rated at 10 percent for instability, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination as per recent court decisions.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee osteoarthritis was denied, and the claim for service connection of a right ankle disorder secondary to his right knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's disability ratings for left knee DJD with limited extension, right knee DJD with limited extension, and residuals of right ankle sprains were restored to their previous levels.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee strain, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, due to service-connected lumbar strain, cervical strain, and posttraumatic tension-type headache and cervicogenic pain. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence received since the January 2013 Statement of the Case, including a September 2017 VA examination. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a meniscal tear with frequent episodes of locking and joint pain, is rated at 20 percent since August 2015. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing it is related to his in-service right knee disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and extent of his service-connected right knee disability, including any new diagnoses.

The Board has determined that service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a disability. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board dismissed the claims for chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for DJD of the left knee and denied the claim as there is no evidence that his current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to lack of current diagnoses. The claims are remanded as the Veteran's TBI and headache disorder need further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at a 10 percent rating prior to September 18, 2014 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) claims are being reviewed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his residuals of fracture of left third and fourth metatarsals do not warrant a separate compensable rating. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis is granted. The appeal regarding the secondary service connection for a left knee condition is dismissed.