Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his service-connected lumbar spine conditions and lower extremity pseudo radicular pain syndromes have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these issues by the Veteran.

The Veteran is granted annual VA clothing allowances for the year 2016 due to his use of L1810 knee braces, which cause wear and tear on his pants.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence received after a Substantive Appeal was filed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Board denied service connection for TBI and right knee disorder, but granted the reopening of claims for these conditions. Service connection was not established for DM, hypertension, chloracne, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy, or plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's disability ratings for left and right knee instability/subluxation were restored to 10 percent effective September 27, 2017.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete consideration of evidence, including VA examination results and a newly submitted application for increased compensation. The Veteran's representative has not yet been provided an opportunity to submit argument on his behalf.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and residuals of right knee patellectomy are being remanded. The previous denial of these claims remains in effect.

The Board denied retroactive VA compensation benefits based on a temporary total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30, effective from October 10, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions, finding that there is no nexus between his current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease (DJD) and his in-service knee pain and treatment. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the DJD began during service or is otherwise related to the in-service knee injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to additional evidence being added to the record, including VA examinations of his cervical spine, thoracic spine, right knee, and left knee. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied effective October 31, 2013.,Effective dates prior to October 31, 2013, are not warranted for the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence and requests for updated VA examinations, SSA records, and employment education information. The Veteran's disabilities are expected to be evaluated in detail.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's left knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea claims will be reviewed again with new information.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities rendered him unable to work, leading to a TDIU and the cause of his death being attributed to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was denied, and the effective date for the increase in disability is set at April 30, 2013. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for compensable ratings for right hip degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension and impairment of the thigh, as well as the appeal to restore a 30% rating for left knee disability. The decision also noted that the Veteran underwent left knee replacement surgery approximately five months after the reduction in his rating went into effect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. A 20 percent rating, but no higher, effective November 4, 2010, has been granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The increased ratings for left knee disability and bilateral foot disability were denied. An increased rating in excess of 60 percent for a back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition and back condition are being remanded for further development.,Additional evidence or clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for these conditions.