Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inclusion of VA treatment records dated between February and August 2017 in the claims file. The case will be readjudicated, with all relevant evidence considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee strain is related to his in-service injuries and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it had its onset during his active duty. The issues of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle ganglion cyst, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and headaches have been granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 10% disability rating for his headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left hamstring injury, and an emotional distress and depression (psychiatric disorder). The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee was reopened but not granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's right leg and foot, right hip, and right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 14, 2013 for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus were denied. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was granted based on service aggravation. The low back disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for syncope, recurrent dislocation of left shoulder, and right knee condition as the evidence did not establish a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder have been granted. The appeals are based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis have been rated based on limitation of motion, with a 10 percent rating for each knee due to flexion limited to at most 45 degrees and extension limited to at most 10 degrees. The Veteran also has recurrent lateral instability in both knees, warranting a separate 20 percent rating for each knee under Diagnostic Code 5257.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for updated VA examinations that comply with recent court decisions regarding musculoskeletal examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for sarcoidosis, fatigue, and a right knee disability. Additional development is required including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and found new and material evidence to support this claim. However, it denied service connection on a direct basis.,Service connection was also denied for degenerative arthritis of both knees and heart condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Halifax Health Medical Center on February 23, 2013 are approved due to the urgency of his symptoms and the unavailability of VA treatment facilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction after completion of this development.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities require the use of knee braces that cause damage to his outer garments, and he is entitled to an annual clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder was granted effective November 12, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and awarded a TDIU from April 20, 2014.