Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to SMC at the rate authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) from November 29, 2008 due to his service-connected benign pituitary adenoma with diabetes mellitus and adrenal insufficiency.,The Veteran is also granted entitlement to SMC at the rate authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) from January 8, 2009 as he has two of the rates provided in subsection (l) without considering the same condition twice.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various hip and knee conditions, as well as bilateral lymphedema, due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating of 10 percent or more for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and left ankle fracture residuals have been rated, with some issues granted and others denied. The decision is mixed as it includes both granted and denied elements.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee ligamentous injury with degenerative joint disease and left knee impairment due to an inadequate VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral elbow disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), right shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for painful motion, and the issues of higher ratings are denied.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issue of a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder has been reopened and remanded. The claims for left knee disability, flat feet, depressive disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right hip disability, and history of left ankle fracture are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the opinions provided by VA examiners on whether the Veteran's right knee disability could be caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability or right leg muscle impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and a bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service. The claim for tremors is remanded as there is conflicting evidence regarding its etiology.,Service connection was also denied for tremors, with the case being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions on whether the condition is secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right knee conditions were denied. The claim for TDIU was granted, but only since April 18, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and bilateral hips as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, and left hip condition is granted. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are also reopened.,The Board has determined that new evidence received since the previous final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee, and left hip.

The Veteran's abdominal scars are granted as they were incurred during active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active duty for training, and service connection is granted.