Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back, right knee, and right hip conditions as secondary to a service-connected right toe bunionectomy. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its intertwinement with the pending service connection claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating, and his left knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability, but has remanded her claims for left hip and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep disability, left ankle disability, arthritis of the left ankle, and hypertension/PTSD. The right ankle fracture residuals were granted a 10% rating with an effective date of July 31, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, left foot surgery with scar, low back condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral hip condition. The claim for mandibular hypoplasia is also remanded as it requires further examination to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30% effective March 2, 2016. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis remains at 10%. Service connection is remanded for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shin disorder, right shin disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder.,The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30% effective March 2, 2016. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis remains at 10%. Service connection is remanded for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shin disorder, right shin disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia disorder, and sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for insomnia disorder is denied because the evidence does not establish a link between the condition and service. The Veteran’s insomnia is found to be related to his Gulf War exposure but not directly caused by it.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the extent of functional limitations during flare-ups and after repetitive use, as the previous examiner did not provide sufficient information on these aspects.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a stomach disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board grants this issue.,The Veteran's claims regarding sleep apnea, right knee disabilities, left knee disabilities, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, lumbar paravertebral fibromyositis, and anxiety disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the claims for low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and headaches/migraines disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior instructions and for further development of medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability and denied service connection for it.

The Veteran's arthritis, including bilateral hip degenerative joint disease, was not shown to be related to service.,The low back condition did not manifest in-service or within one year of separation and is not linked to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's knee and lumbar conditions and her service. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disability, bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee/leg condition, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's right shoulder strain, GERD, and bilateral foot condition are also remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking them to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right hip and knee disabilities due to insufficient examinations, and requests that updated VA treatment records be obtained.

The Veteran's right knee instability and arthritis have been rated, but the issue of a higher rating for instability prior to January 6, 2017 is being remanded. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for pain, locking, and effusion into the joint from August 5, 2006 to January 6, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gout, left knee disabilities, and headaches due to the need for additional development. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.