Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral knee disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The issues include diabetic neuropathy, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, chest pain (coronary artery disease), chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various sized growths on his body.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, which meets the criteria for reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's right knee strain requires another VA examination to determine its extent of disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of shrapnel wound, right knee due to new evidence indicating active participation in combat during the Korean War. The case is also remanded for a VA examination and further verification of the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and left knee condition, but remanded the right knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. His right knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease are found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his left knee condition, bilateral tinnitus, and residuals of a head injury. The VA is required to obtain STRs, provide suggestions for alternative sources if available, schedule examinations, and request medical opinions.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, along with atrophy of the legs secondary to service-connected conditions, have been granted increased disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and bladder conditions, finding no current disability or evidence of in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right quadriceps disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service or post-service. The VA examiners found no medical evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is now service-connected and a rating of 10% has been assigned. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is also remanded as it is intertwined with the initial rating decision.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the veteran's claims for service connection due to her alleged in-service personal assault. The appellant must provide information about her service and any stressor involving a personal assault.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for left total knee replacement is dismissed.,An effective date prior to April 1, 2011, for the award of TDIU and eligibility to DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability from October 12, 2010 to April 1, 2011 is denied.,An effective date prior to April 1, 2011, for the award of lumbar spine disability is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for LLE peripheral neuropathy and RLE peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbar myofascial strain, left and right knee disabilities, as well as her claim for TDIU due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip, right knee, and psychiatric disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.