Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral patellofemoral joint arthropathy, chondromalacia patella, and osteoarthritis of the knees began during active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee and lumbar disorders, which were diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the knee and a back disorder respectively. The VA will conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, right knee instability, right knee strain, scarring on the neck, scarring on the hand and forearm, and depressive disorder. The claims have been dismissed.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his right knee osteoarthritis, left leg radiculopathy, and anxiety disorder NOS with bipolar disorder. The issues of increased ratings are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee DJD with limitation of extension, flexion, and instability due to the need for retroactive opinions based on recent precedential opinions and Court rulings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations after her total knee replacements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied. The claims period is marked by increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and separate ratings for neurological impairment in both lower extremities, but denial on other issues.

The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water while serving at Camp Lejeune. The combined disability rating and TDIU claims are also remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee condition and sleep disorder, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The issues of increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinea pedis are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder and remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee, right knee, and limitation of motion of the left knee. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder as secondary to a left knee disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of in-service injury or noise exposure related to the claimed conditions.,Service connection was not granted because the VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not due to his military service, and his left and right knee disorders were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for his left knee disabilities, and TDIU prior to October 28, 2012 were denied due to the Veteran failing without good cause to report for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand disability and right knee disability, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence in his service treatment records, and requests additional opinions from VA examiners regarding whether any current disabilities are related to his active military service.