Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and right knee disorders due to their potential relationship with a service-connected right foot disability. The VA is instructed to obtain new examinations and opinions that consider the Veteran's lay reports regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve, left sciatic nerve, hemorrhoids, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, kidney stones, lip numbness, and gastrointestinal disorders have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and development regarding service connection for right knee disability, including secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his post-operative anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee was denied. The current disability rating remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left first metatarsal osteoarthritis, left hallux valgus, and right knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims were also remanded for further development.,Service connection was granted for right shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected neck disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right knee strain, which developed in service. However, service connection is not granted for GERD as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for new examinations and opinions to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee and foot conditions, including flare-ups and functional loss. The AOJ must obtain an independent medical expert (IME) opinion from a specialist in orthopedics.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete information from a previous VA examination and because the SMC issue is inextricably intertwined with the right knee disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee chondromalacia patella is remanded due to the need for additional retrospective opinions based on the July 2016 VA examination.

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

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle sprain, right and left knee disabilities, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and hypertension. The Veteran is required to provide VA with his private treatment records for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as she failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, resulting in the claims being decided based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of a separate and distinct diagnosis.,Service connection for right knee disorder, including as due to a service-connected disability or medications taken for a service-connected disability, is also denied. The examiner found that the current right knee condition is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate opinions and missing information in the VA examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow rheumatoid arthritis and tendinopathy, bilateral hip osteoarthritis and tendonitis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis and tendonitis. These conditions are found to be etiologically related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability. The Veteran's symptoms have been present since separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities. The issues regarding higher ratings for the right ankle and right knee sprain are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The right total knee replacement rating is also being remanded.,The Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted for the Veteran's bilateral knee scars.