Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities did not cause weight gain or sleep apnea.,The Veteran's service-connected back disability is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5237.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence not being considered properly.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a left knee condition associated with degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral syndrome and has also granted service connection. The right shoulder disability rating is remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities due to inadequate examination findings. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records, inadequate examinations, and unclear assertions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence or clarification regarding his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened and granted, while his left knee condition remains in service-connected status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his stroke residuals and diabetes, necessitate regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's appeal for a right foot ulcer was dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of this issue.,The claims for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and low back disability were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant SSA records, arrange for a new VA examination on knee disabilities, and provide an opinion on prostate cancer.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and the ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The DJD of the left knee is also rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder have been granted. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10%.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability.,There is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including left foot, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, neurological, arm, upper extremity neuropathy, right leg, neck, and back disorders. The RO is instructed to obtain in-service hospitalization records from 1976-1979 and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship of these disorders to service.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the use of Lofstrand crutches in 2015, but denied for bilateral knee braces due to lack of evidence showing they cause wear on his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar degenerative disc disease has been granted. The claims for service connection, compensable evaluations for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, including DJD, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding his in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee disability claim is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for his service-connected left and right knee degenerative joint disease due to insufficient findings from a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's left hip disability is being remanded for further examination and rating consideration due to the lack of proper range of motion testing in a previous VA examination.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, as the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to the claim. The issues of service connection for various disorders are remanded.