Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities need to be remanded so that a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) completed at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center can be reviewed.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for memory loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. The claims are now remanded.,The Veteran's applications to reopen the claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders, left and right ankle disorders, residuals of a head injury (originally claimed as brain tumors), numbness of the left hand and lower arm, and sinusitis have all been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided new VA examinations to address whether his bilateral hip disabilities, left knee, and left ankle are related to service. Ongoing VA medical records should also be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, hypertension, and ulcerative colitis as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee condition as secondary to service-connected frostbite.

The Veteran's initial knee ratings were granted at 10% prior to August 6, 2014 and have been maintained thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues of increased ratings for service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscus tear and chondromalacia patella post-surgery, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition due to lack of recent flare-up assessments and range of motion testing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 3, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee and right foot disorders are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their etiology. The VA will need to obtain all relevant medical records, schedule the Veteran for a comprehensive examination, and provide an opinion regarding whether his current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disorder and vertigo. The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for an eye disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's increased ratings for her service-connected right and left knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including surgical scarring and degenerative joint disease, is rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period. The claim for a higher rating based on painful motion prior to August 18, 2010, was granted. However, the claim for a higher rating based on painful limitation of motion after that date remains denied.

The Board has requested a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's right knee condition, including arthritis and total knee replacement, is related to his in-service activities. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including recurrent headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, low back pain, knee problems, PTSD, hypertension, heart issues, pulmonary conditions, vision problems, and fatigue. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and conduct examinations to determine if these disabilities are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or necessary adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet.