Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his right knee brace, left knee brace, and back brace issued in 2015. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including eye condition, joint pain, shoulder and neck conditions, wrist and hand conditions, knee and ankle conditions, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all potentially related to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations due to his inability to report for scheduled exams.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

Service connection is granted for sleep apnea and hypertension. Service connection is denied for high cholesterol, fibromyalgia, left shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, throat condition, respiratory condition, and acid reflux.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disability as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his right knee service connection claim was denied. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability. The left knee rating issue is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and potential increase in severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and arthritis, finding new and material evidence. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection, as well as a need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his back disability and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for new VA medical examinations. The issue of a higher initial rating for arthritis of both knees is not currently on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral gout of the feet and sleep disability (insomnia) as these conditions are not related to military service.,Service connection was also denied for left and right knee disability, heart disability (stents in heart), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's head scar, finding that there was no material improvement in his condition and that the reduction was improper.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at 30%, with very frequent but not completely prostrating attacks. The Board found this to be insufficient for a higher rating.,A new VA examination is required for the left knee condition due to inadequate previous examinations, as per Correia v. McDonald (2016).,The Veteran's PTSD and TBI are rated at 50%, with very frequent but not completely prostrating attacks. The Board found this to be insufficient for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence and functional loss during flare-ups, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder derangement, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis due to inadequate examination reports. The case is now pending with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was glioblastoma multiforme, due to bacterial pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. None of his service-connected conditions are considered the immediate or underlying cause of his death. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding substitution in claims and assessment of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, heart disability, hypertension, and scars have been denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU.,Service connection for depressive disorder has been established with an effective date prior to April 29, 2013.

The Board has remanded several issues including an increased rating for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the left knee, service connection claims for right knee condition, hearing loss, left eye condition, memory loss, alcohol dependency, PTSD and depression. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with these matters.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, cataracts, dental disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, right leg/thigh disability, left leg disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and removal of the right ovary have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been granted.