Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an eye disability has been withdrawn. The issue of a compensable rating for Lyme disease is denied, and the case is remanded to determine if ocular hypertension is related to the service-connected Lyme disease residuals.,Two issues are currently pending: one regarding increased ratings for right knee disabilities (including limitation of flexion and meniscus tear) and another concerning service connection for ocular hypertension. Both issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and various hip and knee conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's left knee condition, specifically whether it is related to service-connected diverticulitis or any exposure to herbicides. The examiner must provide a clear opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to issues with scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for further clarification on whether the Veteran's pre-existing knee condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right elbow, left wrist and fingers, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left elbow, and left index finger disabilities have been dismissed.,The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection claims for chronic diarrhea, a respiratory condition, hearing loss, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral ankle pain, bilateral knee pain, and lower back pain are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; asbestosis; asthma; bilateral hearing loss; left shoulder disability; right shoulder disability; low back disability; left hip disability; and right hip disability are all denied. The claim for service connection of the right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an undiagnosed illness due to lack of adequate supporting evidence in the current record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a right knee disability require additional development, including obtaining updated medical evidence and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for a left knee disorder and tinnitus is granted. The previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and right thigh nerve compression (claimed as femoral artery nerve syndrome and meralgia paresthetica) are reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hip degenerative joint disease is granted. The low back disability issue remains pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an examination and medical opinion addressing his employability given his service-connected disabilities, as well as discrepancies in his educational and work history.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is found to have caused his left hip and left knee disabilities, leading to the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee based on limitation of extension was restored to 30 percent from November 1, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an additional examination of the Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of scars of the chin and neck, left knee disorder, and hypertension. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for cervical disc disorder, back disability, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. These issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied them. The claim for a bilateral knee condition was granted on remand.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the claim for a higher rating prior to September 27, 2016 remains in appellate status.,A remand is required due to deficiencies within the Board’s analysis regarding additional functional impairment during flare-ups.