Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection, as well as a need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his back disability and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for new VA medical examinations. The issue of a higher initial rating for arthritis of both knees is not currently on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral gout of the feet and sleep disability (insomnia) as these conditions are not related to military service.,Service connection was also denied for left and right knee disability, heart disability (stents in heart), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's head scar, finding that there was no material improvement in his condition and that the reduction was improper.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at 30%, with very frequent but not completely prostrating attacks. The Board found this to be insufficient for a higher rating.,A new VA examination is required for the left knee condition due to inadequate previous examinations, as per Correia v. McDonald (2016).,The Veteran's PTSD and TBI are rated at 50%, with very frequent but not completely prostrating attacks. The Board found this to be insufficient for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence and functional loss during flare-ups, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder derangement, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis due to inadequate examination reports. The case is now pending with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was glioblastoma multiforme, due to bacterial pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. None of his service-connected conditions are considered the immediate or underlying cause of his death. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding substitution in claims and assessment of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, heart disability, hypertension, and scars have been denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU.,Service connection for depressive disorder has been established with an effective date prior to April 29, 2013.

The Board has remanded several issues including an increased rating for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the left knee, service connection claims for right knee condition, hearing loss, left eye condition, memory loss, alcohol dependency, PTSD and depression. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with these matters.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, cataracts, dental disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, right leg/thigh disability, left leg disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and removal of the right ovary have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to lack of evidence of current disability, as there was no compelling evidence that a chronic left knee disability was incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, pes planus (flat feet), or sleep apnea that is related to service.,The Veteran's flat feet were noted at entry into service and remained asymptomatic throughout his career. The VA examiner found no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence demonstrating a current disability related to her in-service knee pain. The cardiac and psychiatric issues are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's osteoporosis was denied as not caused by her service-connected knee disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were each rated at 20 percent for instability, with separate 10 percent ratings for limitation of flexion.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder, diagnosed as tendonitis, myofascial pain syndrome and trochanteric bursitis. The Veteran's current right hip disorder is found to have its onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, DJD right knee, and DJD left knee to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss due to missing medical records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability have been dismissed as withdrawn. The appeal for non-service-connected pension benefits has also been dismissed.