Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition. The claim will be reconsidered with a new opinion considering the Veteran's service history and symptoms.

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

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left knee osteoarthritis, and TDIU due to inappropriately assigned ratings and unresolved issues regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral total knee replacements and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU effective November 27, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The AOJ should clarify whether the Veteran wishes to pursue a claim for benefits related to glioblastoma, and further examination is needed for his psychiatric disability, OSA, left knee disorder, bilateral hand complaints, and CFS.

The Veteran's service-connected insomnia and alcohol use disorder are found to be the primary cause of his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The left knee condition is not considered secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete certification of the appeal, additional VA medical records submitted after the October 2019 SOC, and the need for clarification on right foot surgery history. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's TBI, post-concussion headaches, right knee limitation of extension, and left knee limitation of extension were granted service connection effective June 29, 2016.,A 10 percent disability rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis was also granted effective June 29, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical records from Fort Moore, Georgia. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed conditions and service connection cannot be established.,There is no current diagnosis for gastric ulcers, and the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during or contemporary to the appeal period.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus as there is no longer a case or controversy. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was granted, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor. Service connection for left knee and left eye disabilities are remanded due to insufficient VA opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased evaluations of left knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the medical records and need for clarification on prescribed use of a brace. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The diabetes mellitus type II claim has been withdrawn from appeal.,The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) and bilateral knee and leg disorder claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for abdominal muscle strain, constipation, and OSA have been denied as she does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.,Her low back disorder (claimed as scoliosis/lordosis) is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's right and left knee disorders are also remanded, with a focus on determining their relationship to service-connected shin splints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's periods of service and duty status are unclear, necessitating a remand to clarify these details and obtain any missing service treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for left knee and ankle braces, as well as ketoconazole topical medication. The right knee brace was granted an allowance due to causing wear or tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including DJD and arthritis, resulted in limited extension to at most 20 degrees from May 1, 2007 to February 19, 2009. For the period from May 1, 2007 to August 24, 2008, left knee flexion was limited to at most 50 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case for an initial determination regarding entitlement to a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) prior to March 10, 2011.