Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's chronic left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy is granted as incurred in service. The right knee and right foot disorders are denied as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left great toe ulcer and subsequent amputation, foot ulcer, segmental joint dysfunction and lumbago with sciatica, left knee osteoarthritis, left ankle degenerative joint disease, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as secondary to his service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and a skin disorder, to include eczema, have been reopened. The sinus disorder claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition during or immediately preceding the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for an acquired psychotic disability, right knee disability, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for posttraumatic mixed headache disorder is denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right knee DJD and right hip strain were denied. The Board also remanded the issue of whether a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) should be granted prior to November 30, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service and no competent medical opinion linking his current condition to his in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for hyperlipidemia as it is not a disability in and of itself. The claims for the remaining conditions are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of the Veteran's right knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records, undergo a new examination for his left knee disability, and have an additional examination for his right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee patellar tendinitis resulted in a need for surgery, which required convalescence. The Board granted a temporary 100 percent evaluation based on this convalescence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities, as well as her left great toe disability due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence indicating possible aggravation of existing conditions by a service-connected condition, and for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a psychiatric disorder, an increased rating for right knee instability and DJD of the right knee. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to address his reported flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate or incomplete examinations, and for a new examination of her bilateral knee and ankle disabilities as well as her keloid scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare on July 20, 2014 is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding eligibility criteria.

The Board has granted a motion to vacate the April 2018 decision, and now considers new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The right knee disability is rated as 10% prior to January 23, 2007, but no higher rating is warranted.