Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a right knee disorder have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and a right knee disorder are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss and skin condition (claimed as jungle rot) were dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.,Service connection was granted for cervical-spine disorder with associated left-upper-extremity radiculopathy, lumbar-spine disorder with associated right and left-lower-extremity radiculopathy, and right-knee disorder, all secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia and avascular necrosis, is rated at 30 percent effective April 3, 2019. The Board found the May 2019 VA examination to be more probative due to its consideration of lay statements regarding pain and flares.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims of service connection for various lower back, knee, ankle, and radiculopathy disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection effective June 27, 2018. The Board finds that an earlier effective date of December 30, 2016 is warranted based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical evidence.,Remands are issued for further development regarding service connection claims for intestinal condition, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), right knee disability, left knee disability, rating in excess of 30 percent for trauma and stressor related disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his right knee post cruciate ligament reconstruction was denied in November 2018. The Board has jurisdiction over this matter due to the Veteran initiating an appeal by filing a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) under the AMA system, despite not receiving a Statement of the Case (SOC). A remand is required for the Agency of Original Jurisdiction to issue a SOC.

The Veteran's claims for left knee strain, myeloma, sinusitis, and cervical strain have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition, specifically his claimed right calf muscle strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as antisocial personality, depression, and/or PTSD) and a right knee disability (laceration and surgery of the right knee) have been granted. However, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains denied.

Service connection is granted for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for unspecified depressive disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis status post total replacement, left knee osteoarthritis status post meniscal tear repair, right hip degenerative arthritis, left hip degenerative arthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, right wrist degenerative arthritis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, right shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear status post total replacement, left shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, right lateral epicondylitis, left lateral epicondylitis, neck pain, lumbar spine DJD, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy.,Service connection is denied for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertensive heart disease.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including costochondritis, hiatal hernia with GERD and gallbladder polyp, tibia impairment of the right knee, left ulnar neuropathy, thoracic outlet syndrome, left neuralgia of the median nerve, left neuralgia of the upper radicular nerve, gastric ulcer, and chronic cholecystitis. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling examinations to assess current severity, and conducting TERA examinations as required by the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance or being housebound based on her service-connected conditions. The Veteran needs further VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete prior remand directives and a need for an opinion regarding the impact of crutches on the Veteran's clothing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for right knee tendonitis is being remanded due to new evidence received after the appeal was transferred to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, CAD, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability may be related to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's neck arthritis may be related to his military service. Further development is needed to obtain all available service treatment records and VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in medical opinions and missing audiometry test results. The issues include sleep apnea, right knee strain, right hand condition, left hand condition, and cervical spine condition.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis was not incurred or aggravated by his military service.