Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as for additional examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee DJD and gout.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain disability and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is dismissed. An initial compensable rating of no higher than 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, and the Veteran's right knee contusion and migraines are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee total arthroplasty and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 24, 2013, to January 31, 2016. His TDIU claim is granted for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for initial noncompensable ratings for his right knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated medical examinations that comply with VA examination guidelines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for his right and left knee braces, as well as a second allowance for his back brace. The decision stated that the knee braces did not tend to wear out or tear his clothes, and that he was only entitled to one clothing allowance per appliance.

The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The claim for service connection of the acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of his condition due to incomplete range of motion findings in the previous examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and he does not qualify for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examinations. The claims will be reviewed with additional medical opinions addressing all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is linked to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for the left knee disability, which is claimed to be secondary to a right ankle disability, was denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right wrist disability, back disability, and left knee disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records being needed. Additionally, an addendum opinion is required regarding whether these disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for 2014 due to the use of a back brace, but the issue of a right knee brace remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, hip, and spine disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions regarding parachute jumps in service. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, it is denied as there is no direct evidence linking the current condition to his active military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred during his period of active service, and the Board found no evidence to support a finding that they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The low back disability claim will be examined again, and a left knee disability claim will be contingent on the outcome of the left foot disability claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was remanded in November 2012. The RO attempted to obtain additional records and an examination, but the Veteran moved out of the country and did not provide updated contact information. The case is being returned due to unreadable medical documentation sent by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the July 2013 VA examination is incomplete and requires a supplemental opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities permanently aggravated his right knee disability.