Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for clothing allowances for knee braces, incontinence pads (pull-ups/adult diapers), and creams/medications for the 2016 calendar year is being remanded due to its interrelatedness with other claims that were previously remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various shoulder, wrist, hand, and knee disabilities claimed as secondary to service-connected Lyme disease. The Veteran was found not to have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically the presence of crepitus in service. The VA examiner will need to provide an updated opinion addressing this issue.

The claim of service connection for high blood pressure has been reopened and granted. The claims for bilateral foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral elbow disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left varicocele (claimed as testicle growth), and prostate disability have all been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, umbilical scar, hallux valgus deformity of the left great toe, and hallux valgus deformity of the right great toe with bunionectomy have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The lumbar sprain claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's current right knee disability is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's right knee disability and chronic tonsillitis, as there are gaps in medical records and the examiner did not fully consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and psychiatric disorder, but has remanded both issues due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hip disorders and a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 due to hospitalization for migraines.,These matters have not yet been developed or certified for appellate review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee conditions due to a lack of a post-examination supplemental statement of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right hand middle finger distal interphalangeal joint injury, right knee strain, and left knee strain as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to September 2013.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, degenerative arthritis of the knees, hypertension, obesity, IVDS with secondary obesity, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Board has granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability prior to September 14, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence from a recent VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various lower and upper extremity disorders, as well as a left shoulder disorder, to allow for additional development. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, right knee, and left hip disabilities due to incomplete development. The appeals are now considered on appeal from original claim of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including left ankle, knee, shoulder, low back, foot hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, IBS, and migraine headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar, left knee, right knee, and skin disabilities due to incomplete information in the records and the need for further examinations.

The Veteran's reduced rating for left hip strain with limitation of abduction, adduction, and rotation is restored to 10 percent.,A 10 percent rating effective December 8, 2015, for limited flexion of the left knee is granted.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hip condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee DJD status post arthroscopic chondroplasty of the right medial femoral condyle from February 22, 1990, to October 31, 2007 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his condition during that period.