Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is linked to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for the left knee disability, which is claimed to be secondary to a right ankle disability, was denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right wrist disability, back disability, and left knee disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records being needed. Additionally, an addendum opinion is required regarding whether these disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for 2014 due to the use of a back brace, but the issue of a right knee brace remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, hip, and spine disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions regarding parachute jumps in service. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, it is denied as there is no direct evidence linking the current condition to his active military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred during his period of active service, and the Board found no evidence to support a finding that they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The low back disability claim will be examined again, and a left knee disability claim will be contingent on the outcome of the left foot disability claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was remanded in November 2012. The RO attempted to obtain additional records and an examination, but the Veteran moved out of the country and did not provide updated contact information. The case is being returned due to unreadable medical documentation sent by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the July 2013 VA examination is incomplete and requires a supplemental opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities permanently aggravated his right knee disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, eye condition, bronchitis, tenosynovitis, bilateral shoulder condition, degenerative joint disease of the spine, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The appeal for service connection for a bilateral leg condition was denied, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition. Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a rating higher than 10 percent for vitiligo. A TDIU was granted prior to March 26, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, right hip disability, and osteopenia. The claim for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis was granted.,Service connection for the right knee disability is not warranted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. Other claims, including secondary service connection for back and left knee disabilities and bilateral pes planus, as well as TDIU, are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examination records and the need for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left eye amblyopia and bilateral knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims are also being remanded to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran is seeking to reopen several service connection claims related to herbicide exposure. These claims have been remanded due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for a bilateral knee disability, hypertension, insomnia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, tinnitus, and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and lumbar spine disability as the evidence did not show any in-service injury or chronic symptoms that could be linked to these conditions.