Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding relevant evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's flat feet are granted an increased rating to 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal disorders.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received. The claims are now remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a spine condition, bilateral knee condition, acquired psychological disorder (including bipolar disorder), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee conditions and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and granted them. Service connection was denied previously due to a lack of evidence showing aggravation during service, but new evidence now suggests a possible link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his knee and hip disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and remanded the issues of entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder, and right forearm disabilities. The case is now pending for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The issue of Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 22, 2011 was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left ankle disability was rated 10% prior to December 11, 2017 and 20% from that date forward. The low back disability was rated 10% before April 26, 2016, 20% from April 26, 2016 to February 26, 2018, and 40% from February 27, 2018. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated 10% before June 22, 2017 and 20% after that date. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated 10% before June 22, 2017 and 20% after that date. The cervical spine disability was rated 10% prior to April 26, 2016 and 20% after that date. The right upper extremity radiculopathy was rated 40% from June 22, 2017. The left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated 20% from June 22, 2017. The right knee and left knee disabilities were both denied.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a residual left knee disability, including as residuals of an infection, due to VA treatment in September 2012. The Board finds that additional records are needed and requests a VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his knee brace and shoe insert was denied because the VA determined that these items do not tend to wear or tear clothing, as required by the regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the current nature and extent of the Veteran's left and right knee disorders, including his total right knee arthoplasty. The RO is also instructed to rate under the most appropriate Diagnostic Code(s) and consider staged ratings as may be appropriate.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for a left knee disorder is granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions and a penis tear/erectile dysfunction. The cases are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further examination and development due to incomplete records and non-compliant VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a case or controversy pending before the Board due to the full grant of benefits sought on appeal. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches due to the absence of a current diagnosis. The claims for back condition, bilateral knees, and bilateral ankles are remanded as the VA examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia was rated at 10 percent prior to August 31, 2017. The Veteran is now receiving a 100 percent rating for his left knee since the date of surgery.,The Veteran's left ankle achilles tendonitis has been rated at 20 percent since April 15, 1999.