Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of certain medical records and examination reports in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities was granted, and he is now receiving a 10% rating each for his right and left knees from September 1, 2011 to August 7, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities due to outstanding medical records that need to be reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is etiologically related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, residuals of left ankle fracture, hypertension, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and erectile dysfunction) cause damage to his clothing due to the use of prescribed braces. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year based on this evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU prior to February 6, 2019 is granted due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle, low back, and knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected pes planus disability. As a result, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities have been reopened. The claim for lumbosacral strain has been granted.,Service connection is denied for the left ankle disability as there is no evidence of a current condition or chronic impairment.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent disabling for the entire period on appeal. The claim for a higher rating for chondromalacia and subluxation or instability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the October 2018 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has denied service connection for Bell's Palsy, as well as for various knee conditions, arthritis, and sprain/strain injuries. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient development and lack of a proper medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current knee conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and left knee disorder were granted based on herbicide exposure in Thailand. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral SI sclerosis, left and right foot DJD with mild plantar fasciitis, left knee arthralgia, and right knee subluxation and instability have been granted ratings. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder has also been established.

The Veteran's increased ratings for PTSD, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for further VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, left heel Achilles' tendonitis, and right foot Achilles' tendonitis are inextricably intertwined with other issues on appeal. The Veteran is therefore being remanded to obtain additional evidence and undergo examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to unclear rationale in the VA examiner's report.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities has been granted. The claim of service connection for left knee disability is reopened, but the claim of service connection for left ankle disability remains denied.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee PFS, and right knee PFS have been denied. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale supporting the VA examiner's opinion regarding aggravation of right knee disability by service-connected right ankle disability. An additional VA examination and opinion are needed.