Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disorder is being reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to concerns about the credibility of his statements and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities can be adjudicated. The case is being remanded to obtain a new examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the March 2014 VA examination, which did not include an assessment of both active and passive range of motion in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing conditions. The Veteran will need a new VA examination.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance due to damage caused by his service-connected right knee brace is remanded because relevant medical records are missing. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,Additional VA treatment records are required to fully assess the Veteran's current condition.

The Board has denied service connection for left-hand arthritis, a skin rash on the back, and PTSD. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and migraines are also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for left-hand arthritis, a skin rash on the back, or PTSD. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of both knees is related to service, and thus service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder and left knee degenerative joint disease, both secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The Veteran is advised to submit any additional medical evidence and a VA examination will be conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been properly evaluated and requires additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left TKR is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show severe painful motion or weakness in the left knee, which would warrant a higher rating under DCs 5055, 5256, 5261, and 5262.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, and left knee disorder, all secondary to his service-connected left ankle osteoarthritis. Service connection is now established for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current left knee disability is related to service, including incidents noted in STRs and any aggravation by his right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition related to service.,Service connection for shin splints, right ankle disability, and left ankle strain are all denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis and a right knee condition due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran will be asked to provide any service treatment records or private medical records, and an appropriate VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for back pain, bilateral knee pain, gastritis, sweating at night, sleep apnea, fatigue, and stiffness. However, these claims are still being remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his back disability which is inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Board has found that further development is necessary to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ear retracted tympanic membrane, hernia repair, right knee disability, and low back disability are all remanded for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.