Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability and right knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and back conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity of the conditions, including any neurological manifestations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and records review, particularly regarding his right knee disability and left elbow and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various knee disorders and sleep apnea. The appeals are now pending again due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for cervical spine, thoracic spine, left eye, migraine headaches, right thumb arthritis, and right knee post-surgical scar disabilities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for right knee degenerative joint disease, right ankle degenerative joint disease, PTSD, and right eye disability are pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, right ankle disability, and hypertension were denied due to lack of evidence showing the disabilities were incurred in or caused by military service. The claim for PTSD was granted as the Veteran has provided credible supporting evidence that he experienced an in-service personal assault.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of an adequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to conflicting medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The reduction of the rating for left knee strain and instability from 40 percent to 10 percent and noncompensable, respectively, is found to be void ab initio.

The Board has denied requests for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for back and right knee disabilities, finding that the earliest date is June 8, 2012. The Veteran's original claims were not appealed within one year of denial.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, finding that the Veteran's discomfort began during active service and continued post-service. The decision is based on credible reports of symptoms from the Veteran and medical records documenting treatment in service.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee conditions due to potential worsening since his last examination. The claims for higher ratings are being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion. The appeals for higher ratings are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statement of reasons and bases, failure to comply with duty to assist, and need for a new VA medical opinion regarding continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, delusional disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and various other conditions are granted. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a hernia. The claim is remanded for further development regarding other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea (secondary to asthma) due to additional development being needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations. The claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, increased ratings for cervical strain and lumbar strain, initial increased rating for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and TDIU are all pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be etiologically related to her military service and service connection for this condition is granted. The claim for service connection of the left eye disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection decisions were made.