Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding his claimed disabilities, including fatigue, memory loss, headaches, sleep apnea, and bilateral shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee pain. The remand requires additional medical opinions on etiology and whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular criteria for a TDIU effective February 6, 2012. The Board found that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's asthma, left hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and thoracolumbar spine arthritis have all been granted service connection as they are related to his military duties and exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations, which are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, bilateral foot, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is found to be the proximate cause of his diagnosed adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to use of bilateral shoe inserts and topical medication (Diclofenac) were denied as they do not qualify as items that wear or tear outer garments. The Veteran's back brace and knee braces were remanded because the specific types of braces used by the Veteran are unclear, and their impact on her clothing is also unclear.,The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to use of bilateral shoe inserts and topical medication (Diclofenac) were denied as they do not qualify as items that wear or tear outer garments. The Veteran's back brace and knee braces were remanded because the specific types of braces used by the Veteran are unclear, and their impact on her clothing is also unclear.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, granting the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder arthritis disorder.,The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee arthritis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The rating for his lumbar strain degenerative arthritis has been restored from 40% to 10%.

The appeal is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including failing to request the Veteran's death certificate and not fully addressing accrued benefits or substitution issues. Further development is needed to potentially include obtaining outstanding treatment records and an examination/opinion regarding Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in obtaining VA treatment records from Vista Imaging. The Veteran is not currently service connected for any of these conditions, and his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a restoration of her 30 percent rating for left knee meniscal tear status post arthroscopy was granted. Her initial rating for left knee instability was also granted at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, and loss of teeth/gum condition. The issues are being remanded to determine if service connection can be established.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking service connection for disabilities of both wrists and both knees, as well as compensable ratings for service-connected hypertension, GERD, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left knee instability and service connection for bilateral shoulder disability are remanded due to insufficient examination, missing treatment records, and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and joint pain due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative joint disease, as well as his left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition do not meet or approximate the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied because there is no credible evidence showing that any current disability began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back spasms, left rotator cuff disability, and right knee disability as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.