Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The PTSD claim is remanded for a VA examination, and the TDIU claim is dependent on the ratings of the service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow, left third digit of the hand, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal of nonservice-connected pension benefits is dismissed because he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for a neurological condition of the bilateral upper extremities and for a left knee disability. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 herniated disc and IVDS with back strain (back condition), and left knee strain were denied as the original claim was not filed within one year of a period of service from which he was separated under conditions other than dishonorable.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty, is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection of his left hand and right hand disabilities are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran has received the maximum rating available for his right knee instability, hypertension, and low back arthritis. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded, as well as his claims regarding a higher rating for low back arthritis and scars.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, as well as his right knee disability. The appeals for increased rating of left knee disability, service connection of lower back disability, and service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand injury and remanded the issues of service connection for his right knee condition, bilateral foot condition, left eye condition (iris sphincter tear), and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current knee conditions.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including service connection for a foot disability and increased evaluations for knee disabilities. The Veteran's substance abuse disorder is also being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions and set the effective date to October 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's most recent VA examinations are outdated and remands for new evaluations to determine current disability levels.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities have been denied, with the exception of a separate compensable rating for right knee instability before July 17, 2017. The claim for an increased rating for right knee disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a stroke is granted. Ratings are granted for instability and arthritis in the right knee, as well as increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran also receives TDIU benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to service, specifically his April 1985 injury. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion or a new examination to consider these factors.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied as the new evidence received does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness for pre-existing disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's neck, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders. The examiner will need to determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.