Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to incomplete examination reports and new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of right foot disability and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, as well as TDIU.,Service connection is denied for a right foot disability due to lack of evidence of underlying pathology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded both issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic pharyngitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for GERD, conjunctivitis, anemia, and headaches were all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active service.,Service connection for degenerative changes of the right knee and left knee, and dermatitis are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of SSA records that could positively impact his disability ratings for tinea versicolor, migraine headaches, left knee condition, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine and left knee disabilities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for dysuria remains pending.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of a right knee condition and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his left ear hearing loss and right knee disability are denied. The Board has also remanded the cases for further development.,Service connection for a lower back disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right tibia disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or instability. The current diagnoses are bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and tendonitis are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5260-5261. The Board found no additional functional loss or impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's use of his VA-issued bilateral knee braces for his service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome is causing wear or tearing of his clothing, leading to financial hardship. The Board has granted a clothing allowance for the year 2015 based on this.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to a motor vehicle accident during service. The Veteran is required to provide records of any treatment he received since service and undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee ligament tear and left leg numbness have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain has also been denied, but the Veteran is now receiving a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of current disability related to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities, including service connection for these conditions. Additional development is needed to address the onset of the disorders in service and their relationship to service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA attempts to obtain relevant SSA and private medical records, including from the University of MS Medical Center. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. However, the claims are still remanded as additional medical examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for post-operative residuals of a double mandible fracture, right knee chondromalacia, and migraines due to inadequate development and lack of an SSOC.