Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's death was caused by his underlying conditions, including hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. The service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral knee tendonitis was granted with an effective date of March 24, 2015.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. Service connection is granted for Dupuytren’s Contracture, bilateral knee chondromalacia patella, and tinnitus. The claim for deviated nasal septum, rhinitis, and sinusitis is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, shin splints, bilateral knee disorders, and residuals of heat exhaustion. The claims were all denied as the evidence did not show an in-service incurrence or a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has found substantial compliance with the directives to remand, but there are still issues that need further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his knee disabilities and left shoulder disability, as well as his schizophrenia claim and TDIU claim, will be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are granted service connection. The Veteran's TBI, headaches, left knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder are denied.,Service connection is granted for hypertension and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. Service connection is denied for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), headaches, a left knee disorder, and a cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new examination to determine the severity of his service-connected back and right knee disorders, as well as to obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 1, 2001 for the grant of service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities are denied.,The Veteran’s claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability is remanded.

The appeal for headaches, left knee condition and low back condition is dismissed. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, and right knee disabilities as they are not related to the Veteran's in-service automobile accident or his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further examination and evaluation due to the Veteran's inability to attend previously scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened and granted. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities, cystic acne, and body dysmorphic disorder were denied. The Veteran received a non-compensable rating for his cystic acne.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The reasons include concerns about the adequacy of previous examinations, particularly regarding functional limitations during flare-ups or prolonged use.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right knee and back disabilities due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, left eye disorder, and right eye disorder due to missing VA treatment records and need for addendum opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether service-connected right and left leg shin splints have played a role in aggravating a current left knee disability, and because the extent of the VA examiner's credit for the Veteran's reports of in-service bilateral knee complaints must be established.

All appeals for service connection and evaluations have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of these issues. The only remaining issue is a TDIU claim prior to June 22, 2011.

The Veteran's right knee instability rating is restored until March 31, 2016. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient consideration of recent evidence and inadequate VA examination.