Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee conditions are aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The claim for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, psychiatric disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and hand injuries, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed left knee, left shoulder, bilateral shin splints, sleep apnea, and acid reflux disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during or within one year after military service.,Service connection is denied for a low back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, myalgias and arthralgias of the neck, shoulders, and arms, and a right knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Specifically, the issues of service connection for these conditions are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, as the existing medical records are inconsistent and lack detail. The issue of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded due to the Veteran's testimony indicating she cannot maintain employment due to her knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and requests for additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee strain and left ankle sprain are currently rated as non-compensable. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated information on the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed for the Veteran's cervical, lumbar, and bilateral knee conditions due to inconsistent results from previous VA examinations. The Veteran's skin condition is also remanded as her current diagnosis does not align with her claimed acne. The right and left ankle disabilities are also remanded as there is conflicting medical evidence regarding their relationship to service-connected lower back strain.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to new evidence showing aggravation during service. However, the Board denied service connection as there was no evidence that the preexisting condition worsened during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee disability due to insufficient examination and conflicting diagnoses. The case will be returned for a new VA examination and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis in either case. The evidence did not show that the Veteran had a diagnosed condition related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to service. Additional medical records and an examination are needed.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dessicans was denied. The TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the ongoing increased rating claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during active duty and has persisted since then. The claims for left knee disorder and cervical spine disorder were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for a right knee brace in 2016 is remanded due to uncertainty about the type of brace worn. The AOJ must determine what type of brace was used and then readjudicate the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee conditions. The claim of service connection for dermatitis is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and hip disabilities have precluded him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU as of October 18, 2011.

The Board found that the amputation of the Veteran's left leg was not caused by VA treatment and did not result from an unforeseeable event. The evidence showed that conservative treatments were effective until a late infection developed, leading to the need for an amputation.