Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Vet Centers and SSA examination reports. The issues of higher staged initial ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 10, 2014 are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee medial meniscus tear, right knee disability (secondary to left knee), and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as depressive disorder NOS) due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required for each issue.

The Veteran's arthritis, left shoulder disability, and other joint disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied because the Veteran did not have a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected right knee scar and remanded his claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion, left knee limitation of flexion, and right knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. The effective date of the award is December 16, 2011. Service connection for right knee gouty arthritis was not addressed as it had already been denied in 1982.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's knee and hip conditions and his service-connected right knee condition. The issues include left knee, right hip, and left hip conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding medical treatment records. The Veteran's periods of National Guard duty need to be clarified, and relevant personnel and treatment records should be obtained.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is dismissed. The application to reopen the claim for service connection for left lower extremity arthritis and left knee disorder, as well as left lower extremity nerve/neuropathy damage, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for further examination. The ratings for left and right knee disabilities are being reviewed.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not entitled to a compensable rating during the appeal period.,Prior to August 22, 2014, the Veteran's left knee arthroscopy scar was granted a 10 percent evaluation. From August 22, 2014 onwards, his scar is not entitled to any additional compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in previous decisions and the need for further evidentiary development, including a VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and degenerative arthritis, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and concluding that there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability. The remaining claims of service connection for back and bilateral elbow disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee and foot disabilities, right knee disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, chronic liver disease, pancreatitis, atherosclerotic renal disease (chronic kidney disease), diabetes mellitus type II, psychiatric disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right hip and right knee disabilities, as well as tinnitus, to obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected left knee and/or left hip disabilities.,Tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis or insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to attend a VA examination. The Veteran's left knee disorder is being evaluated again for service connection.