Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's left foot bunion, left knee disorder, and right leg disorder are at issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically in terms of range of motion and flare-ups. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical records, verify periods of active duty, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative tear of the medial meniscus and post-traumatic arthritis, may be related to service despite a pre-existing condition. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent, effective January 23, 2015. Ratings were granted for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities, but not for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's use of a left knee brace for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease is deemed to cause wear and tear on clothing, warranting an annual clothing allowance for the year 2015.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability and GERD due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for less than 10 years immediately preceding his death. The claim for DIC is denied.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since April 14, 2011. The Board has granted separate ratings for limitation of flexion in both knees, extension prior to January 23, 2018, instability, and symptomatic semilunar cartilage.,The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since April 14, 2011. The Board has granted separate ratings for limitation of flexion in both knees, extension from January 23, 2018, instability, and symptomatic semilunar cartilage.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee condition, left knee scar, and dental condition due to insufficient evidence to decide these claims. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination of his right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, left knee, and right knee disorders due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for right knee condition, left knee condition, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded.

An effective date of September 29, 2014 is granted for the award of an increased rating (comprised of a separate 10 percent rating) for left knee instability.

The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for removal of semilunar cartilage in both knees. The issues of initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee arthritis, compensable rating for a left big toe disability, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability, and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability are being remanded. The issue of entitlement to higher ratings for tinnitus and right foot disability is also being remanded. A TDIU claim is being inferred.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and right knee disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. Additionally, the claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left patella tendonitis with arthritic changes is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hip disabilities and right knee disability, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee condition due to lack of sufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted VA treatment records do not suggest any nexus between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his service.