Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain and tenderness but no instability or other significant functional loss, is rated at 10 percent under the criteria for limitation of motion. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigue, incoordination, or flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disabilities and his claim for TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand orders.

Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disorders are found to be the primary cause of his current major depressive disorder. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, including from anthrax vaccinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any impairment or diagnoses of a headache disability or disabilities of the hip, knees, legs, ankles, feet, a deviated septum, or a heart disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's effective date for residuals from total left knee replacement surgery is granted as of March 25, 2013. A TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with some requiring initial compensable ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is now rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including fibromyalgia and elbow/knee disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining training dates from the Army Reserve Unit and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in previous rating decisions. The Board found that the effective date of November 28, 2012 is proper based on the application of the facts to the applicable laws and regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, endometriosis, and asthma are not related to her military service.,The Veteran was diagnosed with a right knee injury in-service but subsequent VA examinations have found no link between her current disabilities and her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of left shoulder strain, right knee sprain, and left ankle sprain due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private treatment records related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. Effective date issues have also been addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied because the prescribed medication (Clobetasol ointment) did not cause damage to his clothing, and there is no provision for damage resulting from the disability itself.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his claims for service connection for a right knee disability and skin disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation of his left knee disability was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for TDIU and extraschedular TDIU due to the complexity of the issues.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the lack of records from the Veteran's period of active service from January 1971 to December 1973. The VA must attempt to obtain these records and provide a formal finding if they cannot be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder involving the feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence received since the last denial of these claims.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, migraines, short term memory loss, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for actinic keratosis. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) was granted with a 30% rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanding for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disorder is related to service.