Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, but the RO assigned temporary total ratings based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since September 2007. The Board has remanded the case for extra-schedular consideration of his TDIU claim prior to June 28, 2013.

The appeal is granted and the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, higher initial evaluation for right knee disability, higher initial evaluation for nephrolithiasis, and higher initial evaluation for cervical spine disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of neck, back, bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder and chest pain disabilities. The appeal regarding vertigo is dismissed as well.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and an acquired psychiatric condition (major depressive disorder and paranoia) as new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the elbows, hands, right knee, and ankles are being remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The RO will seek additional medical records and conduct examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection has not been established for a lung disorder (due to asbestos exposure).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bladder disease due to missing records, including in-patient hospitalization records from San Diego Naval Hospital. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records from orthopedists he worked with after service and from Kaiser Permanente. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and bladder disease, including considering potential herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss in the left ear is denied. The Veteran's service-connected right knee mild medial lateral instability and strain are both granted with a maximum rating of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left hip strain, right hip strain, and left knee strain with degenerative joint disease due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) and for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for cardiomyopathy, left knee condition, and sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for a back condition.

The Veteran's left knee brace is approved as an additional clothing allowance due to his service-connected left knee chondromalacia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity, including lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, respiratory disability (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea), hypertension, hemorrhoids, and bilateral intention tremor of hands have been denied.,The Veteran's respiratory disability was granted an initial non-compensable rating from December 15, 2015 onwards.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected TBI, lumbar spine problems, and bilateral knee issues has been granted special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, but additional evidence is needed for other conditions. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings for her bilateral lower extremity rheumatoid arthritis, right and left heel disorders, and right and left knee disorders. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions, as well as their severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for examinations.