Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for IBS, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, hypertension, and migraine headaches. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has found that a new VA examination is needed to comply with the Court's decision in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016). The current examinations do not meet these specifications.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The original rating of 20% prior to July 12, 2016 and the current rating of 30% from September 1, 2017 forward were both denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, lumbosacral strain, and various joint and hearing conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly his back disability and left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees was denied as there is no medical nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability and psychiatric disability, with the latter being remanded due to confusion regarding notification of a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence related to the unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims. The claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was reopened, but not granted as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the cases of left and right knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD is granted. The Veteran's left knee disability and right foot injury (5th metatarsal fracture) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for bilateral knee disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's private physician diagnosed patellar maltracking, but VA examinations did not provide a nexus opinion.

The Board has ordered the Veteran's claims remanded for further examinations to reconcile inconsistent physical findings and determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings prior to September 27, 2002 have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD, cervical spine DJD and spondylosis, and headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn during the October 2017 Board hearing. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a respiratory condition (claimed as asthma) have been reopened due to new and material evidence.,The remaining issues, including lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional clarification and evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. The claim will be reconsidered after this is completed.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability was denied. The issue of an increased rating for his left knee disability is granted with a new rating of 10%. The issues of service connection for left shin/lower leg and right foot disabilities are remanded.