Knee decisions — 2018

The Board previously denied the claim, but due to an inadequate opinion based on a temporal gap in treatment records, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, a right ankle disorder, and a bilateral hip disorder. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions, and that the current disorders did not have an onset within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance from September 13, 2012, but no earlier. Effective from that date, he is entitled to SMC benefits based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's stroke, right knee disorder, and seizures.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, left foot disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to post-service events rather than military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including rhinitis with itchy throat and pharyngitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral glaucoma.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the claim. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for her service-connected chondromalacia, right knee, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of medical records.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence showing it began during or within one year after service.,Service connection for GERD was denied because there is no evidence linking it to service, and the preponderance of the evidence indicates it did not arise until years after service.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence supporting such a condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, and requested an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his hip and knee disabilities, Gulf War illness, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to unclear evidence regarding her Reserve Service with periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA).

The February 22, 1996 and November 25, 2008 decisions denying service connection for a right knee disorder were not clearly erroneous. The August 21, 1997 decision reducing the left knee disability rating from 10% to noncompensable was found to have clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral knee disorder, vision decrease, sleep apnea, heart murmur, anxiety, PTSD, and headaches as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities are denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

An effective date of October 16, 2006 is granted for the grant of service connection for repair of right knee condition with fluid build-up.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating reduction for right knee ACL deficiency from 50 percent to 10 percent disabling, effective November 1, 2011, was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination records. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records, SSA disability benefits records, and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they were incurred during his military service. The left knee injury is remanded for further examination.