Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded other issues including GERD, tonsillectomy residuals, and right knee disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional records, provide a VA examination, and determine if there is new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be service connected, with the condition being aggravated by physical training during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 23, 2015, for service connection of various shoulder and knee conditions.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder and remanded the issue of an earlier effective date for the right knee meniscus tear, status post-surgery.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to the need for further evidentiary development. The RO is instructed to obtain National Guard records, VA treatment records from South Texas Veterans Health Care System, and private treatment records from Dr. TAC.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and bilateral foot disabilities due to potential aggravation by other service-connected conditions.,Specifically, the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities are being reviewed again as they may be aggravated by his pre-existing knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal of his petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a right foot disability was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The claims for hepatitis, depression, PTSD, left foot disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, and right leg disability are remanded.

The Board has found that there is no current diagnosis of malaria, knee disability, hip disability, or fracture of the left and right hands. The case for residuals of a fracture of the left and right hands is remanded to obtain an examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and Raynaud's Syndrome, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or related to his military service. The claim of an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for Hepatitis C was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,For TDIU, the Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities (schizophrenia and Hepatitis C) did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disorders, as well as TDIU. The remand requires a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities during symptom flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, but the case is remanded due to outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated due to procedural issues and remands them for further development.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with the duty to assist, specifically reliance on an inadequate medical report. The Veteran is required to provide additional relevant records of treatment and will be scheduled for a VA knee examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 17, 2010, to December 12, 2012. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined impact of multiple joint disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding service connection for various conditions and special monthly compensation. The Board has dismissed these matters as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's disability will be recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder to include both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability, but remanded his right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher.,VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of his cervical strain and right ankle disorder due to lack of information regarding functional limitations during flare-ups. The VA examiner must also provide opinions on whether these disorders are related to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and major depressive disorder need further evaluation by a VA examiner to determine their etiology and relationship to service-connected conditions.,VA examinations are needed to assess the nature of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including its relation to his active duty service.