Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and service-connected bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disability, service connection for left knee disability and sinusitis. The VA is required to obtain all relevant records and provide the Veteran with a new examination to address the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis, but not for the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder. The appeal is therefore granted for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a sleeping disorder is denied as there is no evidence of sleep apnea during or within one year after service. The Board finds the VA examination and opinions more probative than the lay statements indicating his sleep disorder was related to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee disability with degenerative joint disease is denied due to lack of medical evidence showing symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to eye surgery, as they need additional opinions on whether there is a secondary relationship between the disabilities and the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability and sleep disorder due to lack of a VA examination in relation to these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his pinched nerve in the neck, as well as for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations and provide additional evidence addressing the combined impact of service-connected disabilities on work capacity.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to cervical spine, low back, left hip, and psychiatric disabilities are inadequate for decision-making purposes. The Veteran must be provided with addendum opinions addressing whether his current conditions are secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, consisting of osteoarthritis and patellar tendinopathy, is considered to be related to his active service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case will be returned to VA for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and right knee disorders may be related to his service-connected spine disability, but additional evidence is needed for a proper determination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a degenerative bones disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's right knee tricompartmental arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing flexion limited to 30 degrees or less or extension limited to 15 degrees or more.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening his previously denied claims. The Board found that he failed to appear for VA examinations on two separate occasions without good cause.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the hands and knees have been denied. His claim for major depressive disorder secondary to his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome has been granted, but he is still seeking an increased rating for his chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to the Veteran's testimony indicating that his disabilities have worsened, requiring additional medical clarification.

The Board has reopened the claims for left shoulder/arm pain, liver mass, right ear hearing loss disability, back disability, shin splints, right knee disability, sleep apnea, GERD, and PTSD. However, service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate findings from a previous VA examination. The Veteran's right knee and hip disabilities are being reviewed again by a different VA examiner.