Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from February 8, 2017. The VA has remanded the cases for further development regarding her left knee and left lower extremity scars.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased rating and service connection claims related to various conditions. The Board also granted service connection for TBI with manifestations of headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine disorder with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a rib injury, including arthritis secondary to broken ribs and sternum; residuals of a left knee injury with chondromalacia; and a neck disability, including residuals of a neck injury with disc and nerve damage. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and right ankle disorders due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous decision. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. However, these claims are still being remanded as further medical examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee instability and osteochondroma, but has remanded the case to consider a TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA mental health examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis remains unresolved.

The Veteran's left knee sprain and patella tendonitis are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence for surgery from November 7, 2013 to February 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU. The Board also remanded several issues for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing records. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee bursitis is granted. The claim of secondary service connection for left knee disability (aggravation) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a lack of medical nexus evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left wrist tendonitis, bilateral knee disabilities, an eye disability, and obstructive sleep apnea, all claimed as related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal of the clothing allowance for his right and left knee braces has been dismissed as he withdrew it before the Board made a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and leg disabilities, as well as COPD secondary to asthma, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran is also having his increased rating claim for asthma remanded.,The Board has determined that further development is needed before these issues can be decided.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability should be remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability and whether there is additional limitation on functional ability due to repetitive use or during flare-ups.

Service connection for degenerative intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for left hand disorder, migraine headache disorder, and left knee disorder have all been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, but his unemployability may be due to his service-connected conditions. The case is being remanded for further review and possible extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, were denied as there is no confirmation in the evidence that he has these disabilities during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be reconsidered after obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various issues, including ineffective dates and rating claims related to his service-connected conditions. No effective date was granted or denied.