Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several claims due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability due to incomplete development and need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions and issues, including increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches, service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, a left knee condition, hearing loss, cataracts, diabetes (secondary to service-connected disability), an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder, and entitlement to individual unemployability prior to February 8, 2012. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 20 percent and greater than 10 percent for her right knee meniscus tear status post-surgical repair with symptomatic residuals. The case is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations conducted during flare-ups, repetitive use testing, and ankylosis determinations.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance the Veteran's internal derangement of the right knee disability is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have significantly impacted his ability to work, resulting in functional limitations that prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, and depressive disorder. The cases are remanded for further development.

This decision is remanded for several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left total knee arthroplasty and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee prior to May 12, 2015, and a rating in excess of 30 percent since June 30, 2016, are remanded. The rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine prior to August 25, 2015, and a rating in excess of 20 percent since that date are also remanded. Additionally, the reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent effective August 25, 2015, is remanded. The issue of TDIU prior to November 22, 2017, is also remanded.,Reasoning for rating in excess of 10 percent and 30 percent for left knee: The examination was inadequate as it did not include range of motion testing during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating exceeding 10 percent for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the AOJ not readjudicating the case based on all available evidence, including a March 2017 VA examination.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent for each knee under Diagnostic Code 5260, due to limitation of flexion. The Board has remanded the issues regarding increased ratings.,The Veteran’s service-connected left shoulder arthritis is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The claims for residuals of a left knee contusion, to include strain and arthritis; residuals of a right knee injury, to include strain and arthritis; and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.

The Board previously denied service connection for left and right knee disorders. The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has ordered the case back to the Board for additional development due to an inadequate VA opinion in the original decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his foot and knee conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues include left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot disorder (to include plantar fasciitis), and left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right knee, left knee, Gulf War illness, and traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right ankle, shoulder, knee, and eye disorders. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the nature of any chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's left knee condition is being remanded for clarification of the conflicting VA examinations and proper consideration of his limitation of extension.

The Board has denied service connection for neck and left shoulder disorders, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (lumbar spine). The Veteran's claims for these issues are being remanded.,Service connection is also denied for right wrist and right knee DJD. These claims are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral knee disorders, sleep apnea, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's knee, ankle, and foot conditions were inadequate. Therefore, a more complete examination is necessary to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The claim for service connection of the Veteran's left knee injury has been reopened, but the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.