Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to their association with the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claims of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for total left knee replacement and granted it, finding that the Veteran's condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right lower leg amputation. The hearing loss issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left shoulder disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and other musculoskeletal issues, has been granted. However, some claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 40 percent prior to March 17, 2010 and a separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability is granted. From May 1, 2011, the Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent under DC 5055 (status post total knee replacement). The Board finds that entitlement to TDIU prior to October 1, 2009 is remanded.

The appeals for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, shoulder, and back disorders are dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a right foot disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of the Veteran's history, complaints, and lay statements. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his left knee disorders, which he claims are secondary to his right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and right hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for left knee, left hip, neck, numbness and weakness of upper extremities, numbness and weakness of lower extremities, and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's OSA, depressive disorder, right knee pain, left knee pain, and right ankle DJD are all granted service connection. The rating for chronic low back pain is increased to 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as diabetes mellitus. The issues are related to whether these conditions are linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate range of motion assessments and failure to address flare-ups during the initial rating for right knee strain.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for multinodular goiter, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient development of the records. The Veteran's service connection claim for multinodular goiter is reopened based on new evidence, but further medical opinions are needed for both right knee and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions require him to need regular aid and attendance, thus he is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it was inferred from his allegations.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected as secondary to his major depressive disorder. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's major depressive disorder and other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a medial meniscus tear of the left knee, finding that it was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent lumbar strain and reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for low back disorder. Service connection is also granted for left knee disorder, but bilateral hearing loss remains in dispute.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a clarifying addendum opinion from the December 2016 VA knee examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities aggravate his paraplegia. The automobile with adaptive equipment claim is inextricably intertwined with the secondary service connection claim and must be deferred pending resolution of the latter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and tinnitus disabilities due to medical questions remaining. The AOJ is instructed to arrange for VA examinations in accordance with special procedures for incarcerated Veterans.