Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee arthritis and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an eating disorder/obesity, a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. However, the claims for these conditions have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,Service connection has been granted for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a determination on whether new and material evidence was submitted, as well as for additional examinations related to his bilateral knee disability and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the following issues: increased rating for thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic nerve impingement of the right lower extremity associated with thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The RO must consider all evidence received since the last September 2016 statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information about the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran needs further examination to determine if his right knee disability is related to service, including any documented ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions need further examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection and rating for her bilateral trochanteric bursitis, bilateral knee strain, left foot tendonitis, right foot tendonitis, and asthma due to inadequate medical opinions in prior examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded other claims due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records from Dr. Shah, and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied clothing allowances for bilateral knee braces and trixaicin/capsaicin, clotrimazole, and thera-gesic creams in the 2015 calendar year due to lack of evidence showing that these items cause wear and tear on the Veteran's clothing.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and a TDIU prior to July 28, 2014 was dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as his sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities, specifically his right shoulder, back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for continued payment of SMC at the housebound rate as he did not meet the statutory requirements for one service-connected disability rated as 100% and separate disabilities rated at 60% or higher, nor was he permanently housebound by reason of service-connected disability or disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and a heart condition, finding no current disability or evidence of in-service injury that would support the claims.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected hallux valgus of the left and right feet. The issues regarding left knee DJD and AC joint arthritis are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 9, 2004 for special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of the right foot and service connection for loss of use of the right leg due to right knee disability. The Board also denied his claims for evaluations in excess of 30 percent for postoperative right knee instability and 10 percent for limitation of right knee flexion prior to February 9, 2004.

The claim for service connection of a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of a left hip condition, left knee condition, lung conditions (including asthma and bronchitis), and hypertension. The issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand two cases related to the Veteran's left lower extremity disabilities due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's right knee disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation, and his combined disability ratings do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).