Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection on multiple conditions related to Gulf War exposure is remanded due to unresolved issues and need for further evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip and knee injuries. The Veteran claims these conditions are related to an in-service injury, but a VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between service and his current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic left knee disability in service and no competent evidence linking his current left knee disability to his period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, left knee arthritis, and left knee instability prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring further development and a new medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's left knee condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities, as well as an initial compensable rating for paralyzed true right vocal cord prior to October 28, 2015 and greater than 10 percent thereafter for left knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for left hip and left knee disabilities was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,Service connection for left leg disability (other than the left hip, knee, or ankle) is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, left ankle and foot, gout, eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and major depressive disorder. The appeals were based on a direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for patellar tendonitis, right knee, prior to November 9, 2016, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2016 VA examination. The examiner needs to provide additional information regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and a rating of 20 percent has been granted for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars and knee limitations of motion due to a lack of consideration of revised regulations in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The denial of service connection for a right knee disorder was also upheld due to the lack of relevant evidence.,Service connection for left knee arthritis has been granted, effective from September 25, 2015. However, the Veteran's claim for depression remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion on whether his hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis or left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for psoriatic arthritis is also remanded as it requires a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee pain due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of such claims at a hearing. The remaining issues, including those pertaining to an acquired psychiatric disorder and TBI, are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities as well as left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new VA medical examinations are required for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 16, 2018, and 50 percent thereafter for limitation of motion. The VA has granted a higher rating based on the current evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file, specifically an April 2018 examination. The claims will be reviewed again.