Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his military service and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination of her left knee disability, as the previous examination was inconsistent with the record. The claim seeks an increased rating for her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, right knee, chest injury, and headaches.,There is insufficient medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and clarifying the nature of the Appellant's National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated treatment records. The issues are related to the evaluations of his service-connected left ear hearing loss, left knee patellofemoral syndrome with patellar tendinitis, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with patellar tendinitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee contusion is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and proper notification of scheduled examination dates.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her right knee disability. The TDIU claim may also be affected by the outcome of her increased rating claim.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including dermatitis and leg sores, is found to be related to his service. The right knee disability is found to be at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA examination and medical opinion regarding her feet and knees, as well as outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of right ankle injury.,Effective dates have not been established for these claims.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left knee disability and TDIU prior to March 1, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding his claim for service connection for DJD, status post TKR, right knee.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance due to knee braces that tend to wear out his clothes, as supported by the Veteran's credible statement and VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to December 20, 2016, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his range of motion was limited to 110 degrees flexion and normal extension. The current 30 percent rating is based on residual weakness and pain.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective January 7, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once per week, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent evaluation for his heart condition (CAD). His renal insufficiency with hypertension is rated at 60 percent. He also receives SMC based on housebound status due to his CAD.

The Veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The initial rating for the right knee disability is 10 percent, while the service connection for sleep apnea has been established.