Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for disabilities of the knees, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed left knee degenerative joint disease is related to his in-service injury and has been continuous since service separation, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hammertoes, shin splints, hallux valgus, left knee disability, right knee disability, and respiratory disorder have been reopened. The Board has found new and material evidence to support these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder (to include a larynx condition) was denied in an April 2014 rating decision that was affirmed by the November 2014 Board decision. He did not appeal this portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is caused by his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and depression are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, left leg fracture residuals, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The Veteran is also denied effective date claims related to GERD, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and private providers. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities will be evaluated, and his claim for TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to his active duty service and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability. The claim will be adjudicated again after this development.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to the use of knee braces for his service-connected bilateral knee disorder has been granted. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent lay statements and at least equipoise evidence, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and he also has various other disabilities in his back, hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, shoulders, and hips. The Board finds these claims are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for a right knee disorder, and there was no current diagnosis of a left knee disorder or bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, but further medical examination is needed to determine if this condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from September 18, 2012 through February 23, 2015. The case is remanded for extraschedular TDIU consideration outside this timeframe.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including traumatic brain injury residuals, headaches, right and left knee disabilities, and a micro corneal scar of the left eye. The Veteran is presumed credible regarding his boxing experiences during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of his military service and obtaining medical records. He also needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder.