Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to his military service.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances due to the use of a skin medication (Capsaicin Cream) and a back brace. The Board found that the Capsaicin Cream did not cause irreparable damage to outergarments, while the back brace claim requires additional evidence.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to December 10, 2013. A separate 10 percent rating for painful limitation of extension of the right knee is granted from December 10, 2013 to January 10, 2015. From January 11, 2015 onwards, a 40 percent rating for total right knee replacement is granted.,Throughout the appeal period, left knee arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, but an additional VA examination is needed to determine its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic low back condition, left knee status post meniscectomy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to October 2, 2015 are being remanded due to the need for additional records and clarification of employment status.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all granted. The issue of an evaluation greater than 50% for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to complaints of worsening symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability began during active service or is related to an incident of service. The Veteran needs a medical examination for his right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for tendonitis, bilateral knees, arthralgia, bilateral ankles, and bilateral pes planus as there was no evidence showing these conditions were related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, left and right thigh disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, and GERD. The remaining issues are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's left knee disability during a VA examination conducted in July 2017.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for GERD, increased rating for right knee disability, and increased rating for left knee disability. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated after obtaining his complete STRs and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. A separate rating of 20 percent for left knee locking and effusion has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lower back and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral shoulder, hip, leg, knee, Achilles tendon, ankle, and foot disabilities. The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with DDD and spinal stenosis, right knee PFS with DJD, and left knee PFS with DJD are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant a higher rating.,Right and left knee conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations without considering any potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left third and fourth fingers, right ankle, low back disability, left shin scar, PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, stress fracture of the left tibia, right shoulder disability (prior to April 21, 2014), right clavicle disability, and right wrist disability have been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection of right fifth finger disability are also denied.,The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for low back disability, left shin scar, and PTSD as there is no case or controversy with respect to these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification of the June 2016 VA knee examination findings and the need for another orthopedic examination if necessary.