Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, type II, and right knee instability are granted. The Veteran's hernia is denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right knee sprain with DJD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to comply with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. (2016).

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the need for additional service treatment records and personnel records.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings and increased disability ratings for left leg shin splints and right knee tibial stress fracture with shin splints are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current left knee osteoarthritis and his service-connected right knee disability. The Board also found that the preponderance of evidence does not support direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of the PTSD claim has been granted. The claims for hypertension and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) have also been granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. Other claims, including those related to hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, right knee disability, and brain lesions, are being remanded due to incomplete examinations or opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for a compensable rating for left and right knee strain, as well as service connection for a lumbar spine disorder can be properly adjudicated.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee strain with medial tibial stress syndrome was denied, and his right knee strain with medial tibial stress syndrome received a 10 percent rating prior to May 28, 2014, but not in excess of that.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural defects and the need for additional medical examinations.

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

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral knee and hip disorders, and skin disorder of the toes are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining private treatment records and VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer. His left wrist and right knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, with a TDIU also granted.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,The Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are now considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. Further examination is needed to determine the current severity of his left knee disability, including testing in both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, back, and neck conditions should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding in-service parachute jumps.

The Veteran's right and left knee braces, used for service-connected disabilities, tended to wear out or tear his clothing. The Board granted annual clothing allowances for the 2017 calendar year.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA audiological testing results and a new examination of his right ankle disability. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues have been addressed.