Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims of service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The examiner is instructed to determine if any current knee disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing separation examination records. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional information.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for hypertension, pulmonary embolism, status post colon resection, left ankle arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral hand arthritis, and bilateral foot arthritis due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. Service connection was granted for residuals of recurring incisional hernia with associated scarring.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for low back strain and right femur disability, as well as an earlier effective date for shortening of the right lower extremity. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability is reopened due to the submission of new evidence, but the issue remains remanded as further medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes and hypertension were dismissed. The Board also denied increased ratings for her degenerative arthritis of the left knee and meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis of the right knee, but granted a separate rating of 10 percent for painful extension of each knee. Service connection was denied for tinnitus, sleep apnea, herniated cervical disc, and lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder, skin disorder (lichen planus), and foot disorder are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and requests that the Veteran's treatment records from Freeport Medical Clinic be obtained. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if he has a current right knee disorder and whether it is at least as likely as not related to his time in active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a neck disorder, low back disorder, left knee condition, right knee condition, kidney disorder, and sciatic nerve disorder of the left leg, have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence added since the last decision and a need for clarification of the Veteran's service periods.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the current disability was not caused by any in-service incurrence and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since separation from service. The Veteran's lay statements were considered but found to be insufficient due to their lack of medical expertise.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's depressive disorder was not related to service.,Service connection for DJD or DDD of the lumbar spine is denied due to lack of a link between the condition and active service or service-connected low back strain.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings for left knee, right wrist, and left wrist disorders. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine strain with left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee condition with pain is related to his service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he experiences functional impairment and to assess whether this condition is linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim, but denied service connection due to lack of a nexus between current tinnitus and active service. The Veteran is not entitled to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or automobile/adaptive equipment benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as additional development of the claims file. The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability.