Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was likely caused by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants DIC benefits on this basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities due to possible increased symptomatology. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his DJD and ACL insufficiency.

The Veteran's right knee disability prior to October 18, 2016 was manifested by flexion greater than 45 degrees. The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee instability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and GERD was rated at 10 percent prior to March 25, 2013. Beginning from that date, the Veteran's GERD warrants a 30 percent rating.,Right ankle disability is remanded for potential extraschedular consideration due to instability causing episodes of 'giving out' and falls.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a left lower extremity/knee disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still pending as it was remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the issue of whether severance pay should be recouped from VA disability compensation benefits due to a $2,849.28 adjustment in the Veteran's VA rating.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg disability, including an osteochondroma of the right leg and degenerative joint disease of the knees, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive examination and X-ray imaging. The current VA examination findings are contradictory, and there is no recent medical records available.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to April 30, 2013 and a higher initial rating for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for allergies and denied claims for service connection for liver disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, clinical peripheral radiculopathy of the upper extremities, osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also remanded several issues related to his right wrist disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left knee instability are denied.,Increased ratings of 20 percent each for meniscus tear in the right and left knees are granted, effective from November 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for the low back disability claimed as secondary to the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as other issues. The Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities are not found to be directly related to her active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for respiratory disorder, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and right knee disability due to service. The issues of new and material evidence for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, right knee pain, and left knee pain due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and sleep apnea have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the current left knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected condition.