Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims, and there is no current disability or relationship between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hand condition, left knee disability, and right knee disability is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions prior to May 26, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, right and left knee disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, right and left wrist disabilities, and benign lipoma of the left thigh status post excision and infected sebaceous cyst of the left axilla due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an upper back disability, a right knee disability, and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, asthma, left foot disability, and migraine headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional evaluations. The increased rating claims for right knee disorder and left knee disorder are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient or speculative opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include PTSD, cold injury residuals of the feet, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right wrist disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their severity, but the appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if service connection can be established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as she has not yet been evaluated by VA regarding her ability to work due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 40 percent for his left knee disability from March 1, 2011 to August 10, 2011 is dismissed as the issue was previously and finally addressed by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral plantar fasciitis. The issues remain in appellate status due to the maximum schedular ratings not being assigned.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of GERD. The Veteran's lay statements were found to lack probative value.,Service connection was also denied for the in-service bilateral tubal ligation and post-service total hysterectomy with history of endometriosis, as there was no evidence that the disability began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all remanded. The denial of the claim for left knee disorder is final due to lack of evidence within one year of service.

The Veteran's service-connected scar disabilities and adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has ordered further examination and development for the Veteran's claims related to his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim. The remand is due to inadequate previous examinations that did not include full range of motion testing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, loss of visual acuity due to use of night vision goggles, and bilateral hearing loss. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee sprain was denied as there is no probative evidence establishing that the disability has been manifested by ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, symptomatic dislocation or removal of the semilunar cartilage (meniscus), flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, extension limited to 5 degrees or more, or genu recurvatum.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma was reopened and granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted, but the right knee condition, back problems, and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of her right knee, left hip, and left big toe disabilities due to their potential relationship with her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for his right knee and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.