Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, right knee condition, and left knee condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its interdependence with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and pending claims for increased ratings. The appellant's request for substitution as a claimant is also being considered.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral wrist disability has been reopened.,The Veteran's claim for low back disability has been reopened.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral knee disability has been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. Other claims are also remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no medical evidence showing that the current left knee disorder is related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, back disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is granted service connection. The left knee disability, presumed secondary to the right knee condition, remains in dispute and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's left knee condition is being reviewed again to determine its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation to determine if they meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 18, 2011 for the assignment of a 20% initial disability rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's cervical spine and right knee patellofemoral syndrome increased ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee prior to October 1, 2012 is granted. An initial 60% rating for total right knee replacement is granted. The issue of an initial compensable rating for hearing loss is dismissed. A TDIU from March 2, 2011 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss disability in either ear.,Service connection for OSA is denied as it did not manifest during service or be related to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of an opinion regarding their relationship to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including his total knee arthroplasty, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee chondromalacia as the evidence did not show flexion or extension limited to less than 45 degrees or 15 degrees respectively, which would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his prior excision of a benign chondroblastoma in April 1963 and subsequent degenerative joint disease, is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cut neck, finding that there is no current disability related to an in-service injury. The left knee scar was not found to be painful or unstable and did not result in any functional impairment. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood and substance abuse was rated at 70 percent disabling but the Board determined it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total social impairment.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood and substance abuse is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9440. The Board found that while the Veteran exhibits social isolation and irritability, he maintains supportive relationships with his family.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation and testing to determine the current severity of her conditions.