Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding flare-ups and their impact on range of motion.

The Veteran's left knee strain with patella shaving is found to be incurred in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected left knee DJD and assigned separate evaluations of 10 percent for limitation of flexion and 20 percent for a meniscal tear. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and missing medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and the Board finds that his symptoms during military service were more likely due to stress or other causes than to sleep apnea. The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities reasonably result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and food preparation, and he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current knee and back conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran's increased rating claims for his right knee disability and stress fractures of the right 2nd and 4th toes. The case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including right knee meniscus tears, Baker's cyst in the right knee, and bilateral tendonitis, are found to be etiologically related to her active duty service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development of his claims, including obtaining a complete worker's compensation file from the U.S. Department of Labor associated with his February 2005 workplace injury while employed by the Tennessee Air National Guard.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical examination and additional development of the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence. The right knee disability claim remains on hold until further notice.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to new and material evidence received since the October 2008 decision. The Board also found that the current right knee disability is related to an injury incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current DJD of the right knee is related to an in-service tear of the medial meniscus, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and to search for private records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee disability, which may be secondary to his right knee disability, will be reconsidered.