Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected right ankle fracture and degenerative arthritic changes of the left knee, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including right arm, back, neck, hip, ankle, and knee conditions. The claims are being returned to VA for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, as well as his initial compensable ratings for hallux valgus of both feet. The claims are being reviewed on a de novo basis due to newly received service treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's current right knee disability began during or is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of his ankle, knee, back, and lung disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and his military service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current right knee condition and his time in active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia and left knee instability have been rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted due to the severity of symptoms not warranting a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected diabetes. The decision also denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities due to lack of medical opinion.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence linking current knee conditions or carpal tunnel syndrome to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a stomach condition related to his period of service. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity will also be remanded, as the examiner's opinion was unclear regarding whether it is secondary to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. The VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right knee strain. The examiner will need to consider the frequency and length of any incapacitating episodes in the past year.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. A VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's scar from a hand injury. The examiner will need to consider the frequency and length of any incapacitating episodes in the past year.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. A VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder (excluding pes planus), and osteochondritis dissecans. The Veteran's current diagnoses were found to be unrelated to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, right ankle, and bilateral calf cramping disabilities. The claims are remanded to obtain VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus and denied a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for left lower extremity, lumbar spine, bilateral ear, skin or skin cancer, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claim for nasal fracture residuals is also remanded as he has not been provided a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound based on her service-connected disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for SMC housebound as defined by law and regulations.

The Veteran's genu valgus/varus of the right knee is at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected low back disability, and thus she has a right knee disability that is secondary to her service-connected low back disability. The Board also found support for granting service connection for a right ankle disability based on the private chiropractor's opinion linking it to her service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The left knee disability received a 10 percent rating, and the left shoulder disability received a 20 percent rating effective June 27, 2011.