Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a left hip disability. The claims are being returned to VA for further development due to incomplete STRs.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back and knee conditions due to conflicting opinions on whether these conditions are related to service-connected flat feet or other factors.

The Veteran's knee, foot, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology.,The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the nature and severity of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's knee and leg conditions, as well as his back disorders. The reasons for this are that VA treatment records need to be obtained, a February 2014 VA examination report needs to be associated with the file, and new examinations need to be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions including muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, coronary artery disease, joint pain, and gastrointestinal issues. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and provide medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection.,Service connection was not established for the claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of her low back and knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a right hip disability, is granted. However, the appeal is only partially successful in that it pertains to reopening the left hip disability claim.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for increased ratings of the service-connected left knee instability, pleural plaque and scarring of the left lung, and bilateral inguinal hernias. The Board dismissed these issues as they were withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The remand includes obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination, and considering the evidence in its entirety.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and low back disabilities, as well as the propriety of a reduction in rating for his low back disability. The claims will be further evaluated after additional development is completed.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery for right knee bursitis with osteoarthritis. The Veteran's gout is remanded for an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. His initial rating for left knee DJD is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders, but denied service connection for his left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right lower leg residuals of a punji stick wound with scar was denied. His claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis changes status post arthroscopic repair is rated at 10 percent, and the Veteran has a separate evaluation of 10 percent for right knee instability. The Veteran’s tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.,For his cervical spine conditions, the Veteran has been granted evaluations in excess of 20 percent from February 5, 2015. His lumbar spine condition remains at a 20 percent evaluation prior to February 5, 2015 and is rated as 40 percent disabling after that date.,The Veteran's progressive muscle atrophy associated with spondylosis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been remanded for further review. His sleep apnea remains at a 50 percent evaluation, and his radiculopathy conditions have also been remanded.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded to allow the VA to obtain any outstanding treatment records and then review your cases again.

The Board found no current disabilities of the bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, or right knee. The Veteran's reported traumatic brain injury and sleep apnea were not supported by evidence in service records or post-service treatment notes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and restless leg syndrome was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis. A 40 percent disability rating is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from March 8, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a non-initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to incomplete records, unclear dates of active duty periods, and need for medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.