Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and functional loss assessment for the Veteran's right knee disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of his knee disabilities, including limitation of flexion, extension, and instability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The right knee disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The Veteran reported an in-service injury during deployment, but there is conflicting evidence regarding the date of the injury.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as her symptoms have worsened since her last VA examination in April 2015. Additionally, all relevant medical records should be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, including as due to a service-connected condition, and for a disability manifested by limitation of motion in the right leg (also claimed as a right knee disability).,Neither the Veteran nor her representative raised any other issues.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder impingement but denied service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right hip and knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's service treatment records do not provide sufficient evidence of his claimed exposures or injuries. Additional development is needed to verify his alleged combat exposure in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The bilateral knee disability and left forearm scar claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hip arthritis, neuropathy, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis have been denied.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service symptoms that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in the July 2015 decision, including not addressing the nexus between current disability and in-service incurrence. The Court also noted that the Veteran's claim was mischaracterized by the Board.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated. Specifically, VA must obtain medical records from Astoria Health and Rehab Center, Moffit Cancer Center, Dr. P. Hotvedt, Bond Clinic, and Winter Haven Hospital. Additionally, the Appellant should be asked to provide lay statements from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of her husband's conditions.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the year 2012 based on use of bilateral knee braces. The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on use of low back and ankle braces is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances due to insufficient evidence showing that his knee braces, back brace, or custom shoe insoles caused damage to his clothing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition with intervertebral disc syndrome, an initial separate rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee condition with arthritis. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, left ankle, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied. The claim for right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and small bowel obstruction. The Veteran's VA treatment records from October 2014 to the present need to be obtained, as well as any private physician records that may exist.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address both causation and aggravation of the Veteran's current sleep apnea and service-connected PTSD, as well as his right knee disability and service-connected left knee disability.