Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has found that the VA records dating back to 1977 have not been fully obtained, and thus remanded for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 14, 2010, as he has two or more service-connected disabilities rated at 40% or more that combine to 70% or more. The Board found the Veteran unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, psychiatric disability with sleep impairment (other than PTSD), left knee disability, and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee condition. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and a knee condition are currently pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for an earlier effective date for left knee disability. The claims for service connection and initial rating for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that it is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a neurological examination to assess any lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The claims are now remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, but his claim to reopen the previously denied claims of gastroenteritis and bilateral hearing loss disability was granted. The application for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 23, 2011, and for compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability since July 18, 2015 are denied. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for right knee flexion and extension prior to November 16, 2015 is also denied.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee limitation of flexion, right ankle limitation of dorsiflexion, and left ankle osteoarthritis are all found to have begun during combat service in Vietnam. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 1, 2011 for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records, particularly regarding his left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for posterior vitreous detachment. The cases of numbness at the top and left side of the head, right knee disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and left shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related secondary conditions due to potential herbicide exposure during service at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. The Veteran's assertions are consistent with his service records but DoD and VA have not conceded use of herbicides in Japan.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient information regarding his income and net worth for pension benefits. The Board requests the Veteran to provide necessary forms and information to claim his granddaughter as a dependent.

The Board has remanded the claims for a separate compensable or increased initial rating for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a determination of whether to assign a higher rating for right knee instability prior to August 18, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle and bilateral knee disorders, as the current evidence does not provide sufficient information on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the evidence does not support an in-service onset or relationship to service.,PFB is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible lay or medical evidence of its existence.