Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD, left knee, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities and a need for further development of records.

The Board denied service connection and increased rating claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current ankle or knee conditions were related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for spurring of the left tibial apophysis (left knee) is granted, with a current effective date of December 3, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his knee flare-ups and functional loss during such episodes. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran’s bilateral knee disabilities, taking into account these complaints.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and its relationship to his service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection will be further evaluated after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for right knee surgery ACL reconstruction, bilateral knee condition, left shoulder injury, right shoulder injury, and lower back injury are being remanded as the VA examiner is needed to provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of left knee joint osteoarthritis is not related to her military service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for left knee osteoarthritis from June 13, 2006 to March 3, 2011 is being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the increased initial evaluation issue.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals on all issues, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, neuropathy, and left knee disability. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and right ear hearing loss were granted. The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) was denied due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for DMII is not warranted as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam, thus no presumption of exposure applies.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20% for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, and a separate 10% rating is granted for limited extension. The right ankle disability remains under review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and left hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of recent VA treatment records. The Veteran's knee conditions need further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral hands and remanded other issues related to the Veteran's disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not indicate a compensable degree of disability within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on herbicide agent exposure during service. Service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left calf disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran was provided with a new VA examination on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, myositis of the left upper extremity, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, a left leg disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, including increased ratings and reduction in rating. The Veteran also seeks a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral ankle disorder, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.