Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his acquired psychiatric condition, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, thoracic/lumbar spine disability, shoulder and knee disabilities, pes planus, eye disabilities, migraine headaches, acid reflux, pseudofolliculitis (PFB), hemorrhoids, pulmonary conditions, including COPD, and Meniere’s disease. The Board has remanded these issues for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability, including any residual signs or symptoms due to a meniscectomy and chondroplasty. A separate rating may also be warranted under Diagnostic Code 5259.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and left knee disability due to in-service herbicide agent exposure, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's service records indicate possible herbicide exposure during his time stationed at Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base. VA must obtain relevant treatment records and verify the Veteran’s duty station and potential exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are no longer relevant.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis did not contribute to his death from congestive heart failure and diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete development of the total disability individual unemployability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, right hip, right thigh, right knee, and right leg disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic subluxation of the left ankle and arthritis of the left knee and low back, did not render him unemployable prior to October 19, 2005.

The Veteran's low back pain and left knee strain have been granted increased ratings, with the effective date for these changes being September 10, 2015. The TDIU was also granted on this date.

The Veteran's ratings for left knee instability and residuals of frostbite, both in the left foot and right foot, were improperly reduced. The 20% rating for left knee instability is restored to February 1, 2014, while the 30% rating for residuals of frostbite in both feet remains at that level.

The claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, a nervous condition, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded six issues for further development and opinion, including right shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, head injury residuals, depression, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a rib cage fracture has been denied as there is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of a current disorder.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia has been granted an increased rating to 30 percent, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology and severity.,The Veteran's left knee disorder, right knee disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (neck), and degenerative arthritis of the spine (back) have all been remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's residuals of a right foot fracture has also been remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's migraines have been remanded for an updated VA examination to assess their current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's statements, along with his spouse's testimony, suggest that he experienced knee pain during service and after discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right hip, left hip, and right knee DJD as well as tinnitus. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and need for clarification on continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations, which did not include all necessary findings. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence is needed for a determination on the rating of bilateral knee conditions.