Knee decisions — 2018

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for high cholesterol is dismissed. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and a left knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's right knee disability rating claim and TDIU issue due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a laceration scar of the anterior neck. The right knee, TBI, and related issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically related to flare-ups and functional loss. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess his current condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, a bilateral knee disability, and a back disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the entire appeal to be dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are worsening and need to be evaluated again. The nature and etiology of his hypertension will also be clarified.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his hypertension is related to service. His sleep apnea and ankle/knee/hip disorders may also require clarification regarding their relationship to service.,VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, left hip disorder, and shortening of the left leg.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these other claims and must be deferred until they are resolved.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right and left plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur with degenerative joint disease are each rated at 20 percent.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent.,Service connection for shortness of breath, lumbar spine disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's lower back condition was denied in a final November 2011 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran is also required to provide additional pertinent evidence before the appeal can be readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for her service-connected left knee disability, including chondromalacia with osteoarthritis and instability, is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and right knee disability, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking to establish a relationship between his current disabilities and his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back and right knee disabilities are related to in-service injuries sustained during his service.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis under VA regulation.,Claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities were remanded due to insufficient medical evidence or lack of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).,Service connection claims for digestive disorder, joint pain, skin condition, traumatic brain injury, and right great toe bunionectomy residuals were also remanded.,The Veteran withdrew his claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and for a compensable disability rating for scars (claimed as neck fusion surgical scar, bunionectomy scar).

The Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder, skin disorders, left knee strain, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, and muscular and joint pain are all granted. The appeals have been remanded for additional medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and remanded the claims for left knee and right knee disorders due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for left knee medical meniscus tear and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is being remanded due to the need for additional efforts to assist in obtaining relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lateral collateral ligament strain and any associated scars. The matter of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also raised by the record and should be developed.

The Veteran's right and left knee braces, as well as her back brace caused wear and tear to her clothing due to the metal components. The walker did not cause significant wear and tear to her clothing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for knee and hip disabilities, as well as secondary service connection to his right ankle disability are remanded due to incomplete examination reports.