Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, but has remanded it to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current right knee and hip disorders. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder and back disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance due to his use of bilateral knee braces in 2015 was not filed within the one-year period, and therefore, he is denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was obtained after the most recent statement of the case and a new VA examination is needed due to increased severity of service-connected tension headaches. The claims for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for back disorder, but a remand is required due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, left knee disability, hypertension, seizure disability, and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need to address the issue of service connection for hypertension in an SSOC.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating greater than ten percent for left and right knee disorders, as well as the TDIU claim due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and examination. The Veteran's service-connected knee disorders are expected to be re-evaluated.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for neck, left and right knee disabilities, and a left ankle disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, reduction of rating following right knee total knee arthroplasty, and TDIU due to service-connected right knee disability. Additional evidence is needed from VA facilities and medical records are required for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bursitis of the right knee, Haglund's deformity of bilateral heels, lower back condition, acid reflux, bilateral callus condition of the feet, and pseudofolliculitis. The appeals are granted to that extent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and right hamstring disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the September 2009 rating decision. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeals on various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is granted. The Veteran's claim of an initial compensable rating for migraines prior to January 23, 2017 and the claims for effective dates for the grant of a 50 percent rating for migraines and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and asthma with sleep apnea are all rated as they currently stand. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the left knee disability and asthma with sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, it denied the claim as there is no direct evidence linking his current left knee disability to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The decision also includes a finding of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's right eye blindness was not incurred in the line of duty and is denied.,The Veteran's right-hand scar preexisted service and is not aggravated by service, thus denial.,The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service and are denied.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not manifest during or within one year after service and is denied.,Bilateral hand osteoarthritis was not shown to be chronic during service and is denied.,Low back disability is not shown to exist currently and is denied.,Neuropathy is not shown to exist currently and is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee strain and denied an increased rating for residuals of a fractured right second metatarsal. The Veteran's right knee strain was not found to be related to his service-connected right foot disability, and the stress fracture residuals were considered to have mild symptoms.