Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will be provided with additional time to submit private medical records, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 30%. Service connection for neck disability and left knee disability are granted. Tinea pedis and alopecia areata service connection claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx was denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to September 26, 2016 and from November 1, 2017 to December 19, 2017. However, the issue of TDIU was moot as he received a 100% rating for his service-connected disabilities and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i).

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and degenerative changes of the right knee, finding that it had its onset in service.

The Board has restored the original 10% and 20% ratings for left and right knee reduced extension, respectively. The evidence did not show any improvement in functional impairment or symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to higher ratings for his left and right knee strains, as well as his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate examination records.

The decision restores service connection for bilateral hearing loss and grants increased ratings for left elbow scar, left knee instability, and remands the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right knee strain with hamstring muscle tear residuals are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's mild osteoarthritis of the left knee is granted as service connected.,Service connection for COPD is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to her military service.,The Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) is remanded to determine if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar strain, but denied his right and left knee strain claims. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board dismissed all claims for effective dates prior to February 19, 2013, and denied the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and readjudication are necessary due to the Veteran's statements indicating his disabilities have worsened, as well as inconsistencies in previous opinions regarding hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a left knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran did not have a present disability related to his in-service injuries or exposure. The Board also noted that the Veteran's knee condition was not posttraumatic and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as they are secondary to service-connected right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's outstanding medical records need to be obtained and reviewed by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and ankle conditions due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an increased rating for right knee disability, and TDIU due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding aggravation of left heel disability by service-connected left knee disability.