Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's right knee and epidermal cysts issues are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not show an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,Service connection was not granted because the current diagnoses were not caused by active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence. The right knee condition and right leg pain claims are still pending, as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Veteran needs an examination to determine if his service-connected conditions cause 'no effective function' remaining in his feet, as required by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, bilateral knee disorder, foot fungus disorder, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and low back disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service.,There is no current evidence linking any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the Appellant, as appellants' claims do not survive their death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has found that remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Board also finds that remand is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability/radiculopathy cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gall bladder removal scars has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability (claimed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, knee, and shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records and a need to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to reconsider the Veteran's claims on the merits due to newly received service department records. The Veteran's right knee disability may be related to his military service, including an in-service contusion. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, including the submission of incomplete forms and a lack of review by the AOJ. The case will be returned for further examination and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the theories of service connection provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request prior to a decision being made. The claims for increased ratings for back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle pain, IBS, and left knee arthritis. The Veteran's CAD was granted a 10 percent rating but the claim is still pending as it remains on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee strain due to inadequate medical examination. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability, neck disability (as secondary to back disability), right knee disability (as secondary to back disability), and left knee disability (as secondary to back disability) due to outstanding VA medical records from Des Moines, Iowa VAMC.

The Veteran's left knee brace has caused irreparable damage to his clothing, and the Board granted a clothing allowance for 2017.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as IBS) because it has been granted and rendered moot. The claims for increased ratings for left knee tendonitis, right knee tendonitis, and thoracolumbar strain are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2014. From December 31, 2014, the criteria for TDIU were not met.