Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete examination and lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his exposure to chemical agents during MOS training.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address his claims of service connection for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for left knee meniscus injury, post-operative with instability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and unsuccessful efforts to locate his military service treatment records.

The Veteran is eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities, including grand mal epilepsy and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease which have rendered him essentially wheelchair-bound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee replacement, left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected disability, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left and right knee patella femoral pain syndrome, specifically the extension of both knees, is not rated higher than noncompensable due to limited range of motion.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings or service connection, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for any of the issues presented.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and dismissed the claim as moot due to overlap with the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran was also remanded for further examination on his hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Veteran's knee pain was considered an emergency condition, and the Board granted reimbursement for medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on January 4, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for clothing allowances for knee braces, incontinence pads (pull-ups/adult diapers), and creams/medications for the 2016 calendar year is being remanded due to its interrelatedness with other claims that were previously remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various shoulder, wrist, hand, and knee disabilities claimed as secondary to service-connected Lyme disease. The Veteran was found not to have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically the presence of crepitus in service. The VA examiner will need to provide an updated opinion addressing this issue.

The claim of service connection for high blood pressure has been reopened and granted. The claims for bilateral foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral elbow disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left varicocele (claimed as testicle growth), and prostate disability have all been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, umbilical scar, hallux valgus deformity of the left great toe, and hallux valgus deformity of the right great toe with bunionectomy have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The lumbar sprain claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's current right knee disability is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's right knee disability and chronic tonsillitis, as there are gaps in medical records and the examiner did not fully consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and psychiatric disorder, but has remanded both issues due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hip disorders and a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 due to hospitalization for migraines.,These matters have not yet been developed or certified for appellate review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee conditions due to a lack of a post-examination supplemental statement of the case.