Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for left knee, right knee, and cervical spine disabilities. The claim for sleep apnea was granted with a 50% evaluation but not increased further.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar II disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 8, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent from July 8, 2014, were dismissed. The appeal seeking entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 12, 2013 for service connection of his claimed disabilities due to lack of evidence showing he filed any VA benefits claim within a year of his military discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint aches and pains disorder, left knee disorder, fibromyalgia, and undiagnosed illness as there is no competent evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by his service-connected bilateral knee braces, and he is granted a clothing allowance for 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability (secondary to service-connected left ankle disability), and increased rating for his left ankle disability due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pain and clicking of bilateral knees has been reopened, but the claim remains denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, TBI, and pes planus due to lack of current diagnoses. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye nuclear sclerotic cataract, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The claim of entitlement to service connection for gout is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for lower back disability and right ankle disability, increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, and a TDIU claim. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide VA examinations, and consider the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with service. The Veteran's VA examinations did not provide sufficient information on the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and development, as well as incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability is presumed aggravated by active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's increased rating claims for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA needs to obtain any outstanding treatment records, including MRI results, and schedule a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records are unclear and incomplete, particularly regarding his specific dates of service. The claims for hip pain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee arthralgia with limited flexion are being remanded to obtain clarification on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss. The claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right knee disability is remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2 (to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine IVDS and DDD), and a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 9, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent from August 9, 2017, for lumbar spine IVDS and DDD. The AOJ is directed to obtain additional personnel records, an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes, a new examination to determine the severity of his lumbar spine disability, and an examination to determine whether he has bowel or bladder impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected nephrolithiasis has been granted a 30 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's left shoulder strain and right knee disability have not met the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.