Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic kidney disease and headaches, have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disorders, but denied these claims as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and lack of range of motion data. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a left knee disability, but denied the claim itself as there is no evidence that the current condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from December 1, 1993 to July 23, 1996. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative left knee arthritis is being remanded, and earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 are also being remanded due to their inextricability with the left knee disability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran incurred or aggravated any disability during his active duty.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for COPD and right knee disability, but denied service connection for both conditions. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (reopen COPD claim) and others were not (right knee disability).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees due to a disagreement with a previous decision based on an examiner's opinion. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence, and a new medical opinion must be obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, and left shoulder interstitial granuloma. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been properly evaluated, and additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current disabilities to service, except for hypertension which was not shown in service or within one year of separation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome post-surgery residuals due to a lack of adequate examination, and additional development is required.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability and remanded the claims of left knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities, pes planus, and Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 29, 2015 for the grant of service connection for a left knee disability with torn cartilage was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support an earlier effective date and assigned the earliest possible effective date based on the procedural history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and right hip disorders, as well as a respiratory disorder. The VA will obtain medical records and schedule examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot fungus is related to military service and granted. The issues of low back disability, right knee disability, asthma, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an inadequate VA examination and improper consideration of the governing regulations. The Veteran's knee disabilities are being evaluated again with a focus on flare-ups and functional loss.