Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected knee Osgood-Schlatter’s disease and PTSD with mood disorder are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain, instability of his knees, and TDIU. The main reasons for remanding are missing records from the claim file and a need for new examinations due to Correia v. McDonald (2016).

Right knee anterior horn of medial meniscus tear with associated patellar chondromalacia and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, but this is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted.,Ratings in excess of 10 percent are remanded for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees and hypertension.,Ratings in excess of 20 percent are remanded for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of both upper extremities.,TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back, right knee, left leg numbness, and right leg numbness conditions. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, but granted effective dates for left knee meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease and lumbar spine DDD. The initial rating for lumbar spine DDD was also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is rated at 60 percent effective January 13, 2015. A TDIU was granted prior to that date.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the addition of new VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as he was unable to complete an examination due to his hip replacement surgery.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shin and knee issues, abdominal pain, diarrhea, chest pain, shoulder condition, wrist carpal tunnel syndromes, testicular strain, vision problems, and temporomandibular disorder. The reasons given are that the evidence is insufficient to establish a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, right and left knee conditions, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or lack of opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral knee disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The issues include diabetic neuropathy, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, chest pain (coronary artery disease), chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various sized growths on his body.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, which meets the criteria for reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's right knee strain requires another VA examination to determine its extent of disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of shrapnel wound, right knee due to new evidence indicating active participation in combat during the Korean War. The case is also remanded for a VA examination and further verification of the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and left knee condition, but remanded the right knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. His right knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease are found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his left knee condition, bilateral tinnitus, and residuals of a head injury. The VA is required to obtain STRs, provide suggestions for alternative sources if available, schedule examinations, and request medical opinions.