Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to lack of recent VA examinations, and because the Veteran testified that his service-connected disabilities have worsened since the last examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral wrist conditions due to new evidence received since the previous denial decisions. The cases are now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for additional evidence regarding wear or tear on his clothing caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being REMANDED due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right shoulder scars, bilateral toe scars, or resection of metatarsal heads. His hearing loss was rated appropriately under VA guidelines. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was granted as new and material evidence had been received since the last denial in 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for back strain have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted a rating of 20 percent for instability and limitation of motion, effective from September 29, 2012 to October 19, 2014. The claim remains pending as the RO did not grant the requested higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and clarification of his left knee disability, including a new VA examination to clarify the nature of any separate conditions from his service-connected Osgood Schlatter's Disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination for the right knee disorder, and considering the Veteran's claims again.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The issue of a compensable rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to February 25, 2014 is remanded.

The Veteran is seeking compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident while being transported to and from his VA-provided CWT program. The Board finds that further development, including obtaining information about the Veteran's participation in the CWT program and the van involved in the accident, is needed before deciding these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as status post total right knee replacement, was evaluated at a 30 percent rating from June 1, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, PTSD, and sleep apnea are all service-connected. The decision is based on credible medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, and a bilateral knee disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic disabilities during active duty or within one year post-service, and concluded that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the appellant's claimed disabilities are related to his active service, including heavy manual labor during deployment in Kuwait.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a history of headaches during service, which later developed into migraines and have continued since then.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ankle disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2016 letter from Dr. T.R.F.