Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, low back disorder, and right knee disorder are granted. The claim for tinnitus is also granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been dismissed.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for a right knee disability is granted. The Board has determined that the evidence received since the March 2000 decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and thus the claim is reopened. However, the Board has also determined that additional development is needed due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for an examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claim due to a need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right and left knee patellofemoral chondromalacia, as well as for post-operative right and left knee DJD. The issues are being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and testimony regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder, including osteoarthritis. A new VA examination is needed to address the etiology of his claimed condition.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral chondromalacia patella.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder and right knee/thigh disorder are granted as service-connected. The initial evaluation for PTSD is granted at 70 percent from October 1, 2015 to February 10, 2016.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including right elbow disability, residuals of right ring finger fracture, bilateral knee disability, congestive heart failure, hypertension, varicose veins and their residuals, and stroke. The VA is instructed to obtain updated medical records and schedule examinations for each issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete adjudication. The AOJ must address the claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee joint osteoarthritis prior to September 27, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between her current left knee strain and her active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a right knee disorder, both secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were related to service or to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and verification of his periods of active duty, as well as obtaining any available service treatment records. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye disorders (including right and left eyes), back disability, neck disability, right arm disability, left arm disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and right foot disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for medulloblastoma, bilateral shoulder pain, neck pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, and sore heels is granted. The claims for service connection for the other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions. Service connection will be determined based on the merits of each claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder due to service and is therefore denied. The right knee disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral toe disability, left ear hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and sleep disorder), left knee condition, ear condition (infections), and hypertension are all denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or within the presumptive period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, particularly given his alleged exposure at Camp Lejeune.

Service connection is denied for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disability at present.,The Veteran's right hip, low back, left knee, right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.