Knee decisions — 2018

The claim of service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and left shoulder disabilities due to a failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran is required to report for scheduled examinations or provide notice of non-attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there is no link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate or incomplete examination reports and because there is evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40% since May 19, 2015. The right knee and acquired psychiatric disorder claims have been reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee strain, gastrointestinal disability other than gastroesophageal reflux disease, and total rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The appellant needs to undergo further examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the lack of recent VA examination and incomplete medical records.

This decision denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's sleep disorder, PTSD, degenerative changes L5-S1 spine, bilateral lower extremity sciaticus, right total knee replacement, left knee degenerative arthritis, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient rationale in a prior VA examination, new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and missing VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee pain and meniscus tear are being remanded for further review due to the lack of records from his private physician, Dr. Davenport.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and a left knee condition, both diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and chondromalacia of patella respectively. The Veteran's wrist scar is rated at 10% but the Board denied a separate rating for nerve damage.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete opinions from a VA examiner. The claims will be returned for further development and clarification.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, is granted service connection. The remaining issues are either dismissed or remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension is granted. Service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decision and a new medical opinion suggesting that the Veteran's left knee instability should be considered 'severe'. The Veteran is required to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records, and he will undergo a VA examination to assess his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 as there was no evidence of VA negligence, carelessness, or lack of proper skill during his September 2014 right knee arthroscopy with partial medial and lateral meniscectomy.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's current right ankle disability is not related to his service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection was granted for left ankle Achilles tendinitis with an initial rating of 10 percent.