Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination of the Veteran's right knee, as there is no recent VA examination record available. The effective date claim is also pending and will be addressed in conjunction with the examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, right knee, TBI, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, migraines, and status post left knee replacement are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for tinea versicolor is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal as to diabetes mellitus, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, cervical spine disorder, left knee condition, right knee condition, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorder, residuals of a head injury, and migraine headaches have been granted.

The Board has not decided the service connection for hypertension, but has remanded the rating claims for right knee instability and degenerative arthritis. The claim for reopening of service connection for hypertension remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed stomach disorder, kidney disease including nephrolithiasis, prostate disorders and erectile dysfunction, cerebral aneurysm, or psychiatric disorder. Service connection has also been denied for headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA examination. The Board will consider the appropriateness of staged ratings based on distinct time periods where symptoms warrant different disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The claims for radiculopathy of the right leg and left leg are remanded due to lack of a definitive diagnosis in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the right knee disability and TDIU issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder prior to April 10, 2013. A 50 percent rating was granted thereafter. The Board also remanded three knee service connection issues, the hearing loss extraschedular issue and the TDIU issue. From March 13, 2014, a TDIU based on combined ratings of service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease are remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination or opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 20, 2000 and June 29, 2000 for service connection of hiatal hernia with GERD and right knee DJD/LDJ respectively. The appeals are being remanded due to additional development needed.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition, right arm disability, right shoulder disability, OSA, kidney disability, and polycythemia.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the appellant's current back disability and left knee disability are related to his military service, specifically during training periods in July 2009 and November 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the right knee disability and its relationship to service-connected left knee disability. Additional evidence is needed, including a VA examination and an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disabilities, including arthritis and instability. The VA is instructed to arrange for a new examination of the Veteran's knees, obtain any outstanding private medical records, and provide the Veteran with another opportunity to respond to the request for information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's left knee disability and rhabdomyolysis (heat injury) are found to be related to service.,Hyperlipidemia is not a compensable condition for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's lay reports regarding knee instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gout, low back pain, bilateral knee and ankle pain, as well as bilateral foot and toe pain are related to service. As a result, the claim for these conditions is granted.