Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issues related to service connection for right knee and left foot disabilities, as well as increased ratings for recurrent lumbar strain, residuals of a left distal tibia fracture with left ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD), and residuals of a right heel fracture. The remand is due to the need for further development in terms of examinations and clarification of the current nature of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding his ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, and neck conditions. The Board also notes that there is a need for an opinion on whether ischemic heart disease is related to PTSD.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and GI disorder (chest pain) has been granted. However, the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to complications with sleep apnea and GI symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for low back strain and left knee, status post-surgery are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to comply with Correia v. McDonald requirements.

The Veteran's claims for right hip, back, and right knee disabilities have been reopened due to new evidence. However, the issues of service connection for these conditions are still pending as they require further examination and review.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection claims for upper extremity neuropathy, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee condition and a right knee scar due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's in-service injury is alleged to have caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, left knee disability, partial complex seizures, chronic joint pain, epiploic appendagitis, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypervascular lesions of the liver, infertility, and prediabetes. The Veteran's claims are pending in appellate status.

The Board has denied service connection for a right leg disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his knee disabilities. Specifically, a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s right and left knee disabilities, including any functional impairment caused by flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an opinion on whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) from September 28, 2007, through March 6, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee DJD, left knee DJD, and left knee instability due to a failure to comply with the October 2016 remand directives. The VA is required to schedule the Veteran for a VA medical examination to clarify the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for the claims of service connection for an eye disability, bladder disability, loss of sense of smell, and loss of sense of taste. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including joint disorder, shin splints, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, and genital herpes. The reasons given were that there was no in-service event or injury leading to these disorders.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, but other claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and need for additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right hip disability and granted a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis with hypertrophic turbinates. The claims for service connection for left hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), osteoarthritis and limitation of flexion of the right knee, osteoarthritis and limitation of motion of the left knee, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, and it is now remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee meniscus surgery, right knee meniscus surgery, and low back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service records and a need for further medical examination.