Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip and right knee disabilities are related to his service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's back disability is caused by his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's liver disorder may be secondary to Ibuprofen use for pain management or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left wrist pain, bilateral knee pain, stomach disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, acquired psychiatric disorder, neck injury, and type II diabetes mellitus. The claims remain denied as new and material evidence was not received for right wrist pain, bilateral leg cramps, and skin disability of the fingers and feet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing. Service connection claims for right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss disorder, and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for lumbar spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease, bilateral pes planus, and left ankle disorder have been granted. The claim for a left knee disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection was established for grade IV chondromalacia of distal left intermediate cuneiform and remote avulsion of the left anterior talofibular ligament distal fibula.

The Veteran is entitled to additional compensation for his then-wife and stepchild from October 31, 2005 through October 31, 2007 based on the combined disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities require additional development due to incomplete records, including a lack of service treatment records. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral foot numbness, right knee disability, and left great toe disability. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his left knee condition and issuance of a statement of the case regarding the issue of clear and unmistakable error in the July 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated by the RO, but a new examination is needed to assess its current severity and determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected low back strain and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knee. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral knee disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability was manifested by objective removal of semilunar cartilage and subjective pain, limited motion, and instability. The Board granted a compensable initial rating for residuals of right knee surgery and awarded special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance effective October 31, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened, but the Board is unable to decide whether he is entitled to service connection due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to issues with the examination reports, including a need for an updated VA examination. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is related to his service or service-connected pes planus, and whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's right knee and sleep disorder claims have been denied as service connection is not established for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on whether the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability aggravated his bilateral knee disability. The case will be returned for further adjudication.