Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service, including his service-connected back and left knee disabilities. As a result, the claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee degenerative joint disease and service connection for atrial fibrillation due to missing private treatment records and a need for medical opinions.

The Board dismissed all the issues related to service connection and increased evaluations due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new examination to determine the severity of limitation of flexion and/or extension associated with right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the low back and right knee due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that her current conditions are related to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current disability to his active or inactive duty service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder, as the previous opinions are inadequate. The examiner should consider the Veteran’s report of overcompensation due to his service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and status post right fibular fracture were evaluated, with the right knee DJD rated at 10 percent. The Veteran received a non-compensable rating for his scar from October 7, 2014, but a compensable rating was denied from March 13, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been granted. A 10 percent rating is assigned for hemorrhoids from September 18, 2017. The skin condition of the face and other issues remain under review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for a bilateral elbow disability, knee disability, hand disability, liver disability, weight gain, carcinoma of the abdominal cavity status post-surgical removal, kidney disability, and psoriasis. The remand is due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Veteran's knee disabilities are related to his military service, while the hearing loss is presumed due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoporosis, hypertension, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and headaches due to the need for additional development. The Veteran is asked to provide necessary releases so that VA can obtain private medical records from a Wilmington, North Carolina VA clinic.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee conditions and for service connection for his cervical and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent combined, with separate ratings for symptomatic residuals of semilunar cartilage removal (10%) and slight instability (10%). The rating was granted prior to April 25, 2018, and from that date onwards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability is also remanded.