Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided the case needs further development and remands it back to the AOJ for additional medical opinions and consideration.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it was incurred during active duty service. The AOJ must also verify all periods of the Veteran's service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder condition, and right plantar condition prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of her left knee disability, as the previous opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's high blood pressure is not currently diagnosed.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his current level of service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's post-operative SFW residuals of the knees are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no additional compensable conditions found. The RO has not assigned separate ratings for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his cardiomyopathy and service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee arthritis and left knee chondromalacia are at least as likely as not related to service, including an in-service injury in 1972. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected knee and hip disabilities and his lumbar spine DJD, including as secondary.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease, and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in a June 2017 VA examination. The Veteran's statements and testimony regarding his service-connected asthma are also to be considered.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis in the Veteran's right foot, and denied service connection for this condition.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his active service. The Board concluded that service connection was not warranted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty, is rated at 60 percent effective October 1, 2010.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by limitation of flexion from 100 to 130 degrees with pain on motion, and normal extension. The criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,There is no nexus between the current diagnoses and service. The VA examiners found no medical evidence linking the appellant's current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination. The VA will review his claims in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disabilities and the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders. The AOJ will then readjudicate the issues in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left knee, cervical spine, psychiatric, and stomach surgery disabilities. The Board finds that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.