Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of right hip and knee disabilities, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appellant was previously denied these benefits in a December 2010 decision but is seeking further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to a lack of adequate reasons or bases in the March 2017 decision. The Court found that VA did not address whether the Veteran is entitled to service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 for an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as bilateral knee scars, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a back disorder. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as the severity of his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and sleep apnea due to inadequate examinations in April 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, low back/lumbar condition, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The denial was based on the lack of evidence showing that his conditions were aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral pes planus disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for a right knee disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation, including service connection claims for respiratory disability, cervical spine strain, left knee disability, and GERD. The Veteran's claims are based on environmental exposures in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, as well as for bilateral shoulder disabilities. The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of right knee disorder, back disorder, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and skin disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service or causation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip, back, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings and lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's testimony establishes a possible chronic condition with a link to service, including as secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and work history prior to April 20, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including left ankle disability, right ankle disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability, as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and need for clarification of diagnoses.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but remanded the claim of compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for numbness of the mouth due to surgery by VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right knee conditions and mental health issues, rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 23, 2016. Effective from that date, she is granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding functional loss during flare-ups and consideration of private treatment records from April 2009 to November 1, 2015. The TDIU issue is also being returned pending development of the right knee claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent from February 2, 2009 to April 23, 2013 for limitation of extension. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for limited flexion during the same period.