Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from February 28, 2011, to February 1, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, right and left foot disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected knee strains. The Veteran's current hip and foot conditions are not considered service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as to address whether he has a current left ankle disability related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining prison treatment records and addressing increased rating issues.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current condition of the feet, ankles, or knees in service or for many years thereafter and concluded that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for appellate review due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and major depressive disorder disabilities will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for vision impairment, bilateral arm disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension as there was no evidence of onset or aggravation during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability, including range of motion testing under Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's skin condition and right leg amputation are not service-connected, so he does not qualify for an annual clothing allowance.

The Veteran's time at Officer Candidate School (OCS) is considered qualifying active service for the purpose of educational assistance under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code (Post-9/11 GI Bill). The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, PTSD), and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not etiologically related to service, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a relationship between his current knee disorder and his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination reports and additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right knee DJD or instability, and determined that he was not unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, shoulder, and hip disabilities are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, as well as his reopenings of claims for acquired psychiatric disabilities, forehead lacerations, and right knee disabilities have been considered. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these reopened claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in either case.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected back disability, which limits him from performing physical or sedentary work.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple knee and back conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all claims.