Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's March 27, 2014 Notice of Disagreement is valid and timely filed with respect to his initial disability evaluations for low back, cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to the need for further adjudication on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, left knee disorder, psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, and headaches has been granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by a TKA infection, which occurred due to VA treatment. The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the cause of death is compensable under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is granted service connection as it started in service and has persisted since then.,Service connection for neurological symptoms due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and potential inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if he has any current or previously diagnosed left foot disorder, and whether it is at least as likely as not that his current or previous left foot disorders were incurred during service. Additionally, the Board requests an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders and his claimed left foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, low back condition, and neck pain secondary to PTSD due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee condition or bilateral hearing loss, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,Regarding the back condition, the Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye blindness and Parkinson's disease, among other conditions. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for the remaining listed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorder, but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disorders. The case is now being returned to VA for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion from a previous VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting left knee condition was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including rescheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left ankle and lower leg conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disability, prostate enlargement, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The claim for diabetes mellitus secondary to a stomach disability remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and evaluation of PTSD due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

An increased rating of 20 percent for the right knee instability disability from July 19, 2008 to October 28, 2010 is granted. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lower back disorder as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee limitation of flexion disability from August 22, 2007 are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and readjudication due to the lack of compliance with Correia v. McDonald requirements in the previous examinations, as well as the need to consider the Veteran's current symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees are remanded.