Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, decreased visual acuity, lower extremity vascular condition, and anxiety disorder. The RO must attempt to obtain relevant VA treatment records from Columbia, Missouri and Leavenworth VAMC, clarify the transportation arrangements with the correctional facility, and schedule an audiological examination for the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate findings in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, left knee instability, and right leg numbness were not rated prior to March 9, 2016.,Left leg numbness was rated as 10 percent disabling effective March 9, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities bilaterally, hip arthralgia bilaterally, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, torn meniscus of the knees bilaterally, cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities bilaterally, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease were denied as they are not earlier than May 10, 2011.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-response to examination requests. The Veteran must be afforded another opportunity to attend examinations near his current residence in Texas.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty, effective from November 22, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to an inadequate VA examination in August 2018. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still pending as it was remanded for further development including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee arthritis is related to service, including boot camp injuries. The VA needs to conduct an examination and provide a clear opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and assistance, which is granted for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple joint conditions, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee conditions were denied. The Veteran was not entitled to higher ratings based on the severity of her symptoms and range of motion limitations during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, depression, alcoholism, left knee condition, right knee condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of a left knee disability and neuropathy of the right and left foot due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's right below the knee amputation was not caused by VA negligence, and his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that these conditions had their onset during service. Service connection was denied for the left knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in or since service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities cause wear and tear on his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the years 2017 and 2018.