Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person, housebound status, special home adaptation or specially adapted housing, and automobile adaptive equipment are remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, right wrist sprain, left shin splints, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The appeals are also remanded for further evaluation of other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from June 16, 2011 until January 23, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU for this period as his combined disability rating was at least 70 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for reopening service connection claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, and plantar fasciitis. The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatica is also remanded. The appeal for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings due to potential errors in medical examinations and lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted, and a 50% rating for pes planus is granted. A separate disability rating of 20% for left knee semilunar cartilage dislocation is also granted. The right and left shoulder disabilities and right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The appeals for increased disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's plica tear of the left knee was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective January 14, 2008 for the period prior to August 17, 2012. For the appeal period from August 17, 2012, he is denied an increased rating.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's knee condition was primarily manifested by pain and limited flexion to no less than 80 degrees.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the right knee is reopened, while his rating for left knee strain remains remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (polysubstance abuse) and a left hip disorder. The claims were based on direct evidence of the conditions in question.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is granted. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease and total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his back condition, right knee condition, pes planus with pronation (bilateral), hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease first metatarsal base-cuneiform articulation (left foot), and hallux valgus (right foot) are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The osteoid osteoma of the left radius was found to be asymptomatic, while other disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and sleep apnea as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right hip and bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. Her current 10 percent ratings are upheld.

The claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's condition, as well as whether it was aggravated by service.