Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee pain and inflammation, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations due to recent court decisions requiring more detailed examination reports.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, finding that the claim was submitted on September 22, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain records of treatment as a serviceman's dependent and for an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations, worsening symptoms, and other issues. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to determine the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability. However, it denied the claims for left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability as there is no positive nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right and left knee replacements, as well as emphysema and COPD. The Veteran's statements indicate she experienced injuries during service that led to her current conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a left leg disability due to insufficient explanation in the examiner's opinion and need for additional records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, headaches as secondary to hypertension, low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to aggravation during active duty training.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability, as the previous examination did not provide sufficient information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or render him housebound.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in December 2013 and June 2015. The Veteran must be provided with an additional VA examination to determine the etiology of any current disabilities and their relationship to his period of service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition, increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, as well as any left knee disability. The issues include determining if the Veteran's service-connected conditions are causing or aggravating his current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as PTSD with depressive disorder, are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for residuals of right knee injury, service connection for residuals of eye injury, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The remand is due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for essential tremors, headache disability, and insomnia due to ongoing VA medical records being needed. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for any outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but remanded the claim for a right foot disability due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist sprain and osteoarthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating under DC 5214. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed to be insufficient to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.