Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and requests for additional information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current evaluations for his service-connected lumbar strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability are not reflective of their present severity. Therefore, a new VA examination is required to determine appropriate ratings.

Service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability picture.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the bilateral hearing loss disability claim. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of verification of National Guard service and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left knee braces, as well as his back brace, caused wear and tear to his clothing due to their fabric covering. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for receipt of clothing allowances for the 2013 calendar year.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate medical opinions in prior decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of mandibular gingival disability and bilateral knee condition, but granted restoration of his PTSD rating to 70% effective June 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and obstructive sleep apnea, both found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for left and right knee patellar tendonitis, service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia and high blood pressure are remanded.

The Board previously denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement. The case is being remanded due to the failure to provide an adequate examination during a flare-up.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and foot disabilities, as well as an increased rating for sinusitis. The appeals are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient information provided by the VA examiner regarding functional loss during flare-ups and descriptions of specific conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from caring for some of his daily personal needs and rendered him unable to protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that an effective date of October 14, 2011 is warranted for the grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, and depression as secondary to other service-connected disabilities. Effective May 13, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected disorders have been rated appropriately.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate or incomplete examinations in previous rating decisions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, lower back condition as secondary to a bilateral foot condition, and bilateral knee condition as secondary to a bilateral foot condition must be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues include lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee condition, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent urinary tract infection, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, hand pain (claimed as cyst on the hand), back disability, shin splints, or skin rashes on the arm. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a left ankle disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability. The rating for the left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right knee disorder, bilateral eye disorder, low back disorder, bilateral flat feet, degenerative arthritis (arthritis throughout the body), left knee disorder, and hypertension have all been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, and service connection for tinnitus has been granted.