Knee Board decisions

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

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his knee disabilities due to a lack of recent medical examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot claims have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is granted as it relates to major depressive disorder which was aggravated by service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are denied.

The Veteran's right knee surgery required only three months of convalescence, from May 1 to July 31, 2014. The Board found that the evidence does not support an extension beyond this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left, right knee disorders and bilateral hip disorder due to incomplete records. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee degenerative joint disease is remanded due to the failure to schedule him for an examination. The case must be returned for another attempt at obtaining an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate previous VA examinations for the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide new evidence of his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a TDIU rating. The AOJ should request any outstanding medical records and lay statements from the Veteran to support his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability and a higher initial rating for bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, and calcaneal spurs due to outstanding VA treatment records and additional relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records, including those from VA and private providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a higher initial rating for TBI. The Veteran will need to undergo comprehensive VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back, right knee, and right hip conditions as secondary to a service-connected right toe bunionectomy. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its intertwinement with the pending service connection claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating, and his left knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability, but has remanded her claims for left hip and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep disability, left ankle disability, arthritis of the left ankle, and hypertension/PTSD. The right ankle fracture residuals were granted a 10% rating with an effective date of July 31, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, left foot surgery with scar, low back condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral hip condition. The claim for mandibular hypoplasia is also remanded as it requires further examination to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30% effective March 2, 2016. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis remains at 10%. Service connection is remanded for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shin disorder, right shin disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder.,The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30% effective March 2, 2016. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis remains at 10%. Service connection is remanded for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shin disorder, right shin disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia disorder, and sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for insomnia disorder is denied because the evidence does not establish a link between the condition and service. The Veteran’s insomnia is found to be related to his Gulf War exposure but not directly caused by it.