Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in June 2015 are inadequate and requires a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back condition and bilateral knee conditions due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination opinions. The Veteran's symptoms need to be re-evaluated by an appropriate clinician who must consider all evidence, including his lay statements about symptom onset and continuity.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, below the left knee amputation, below the right knee amputation, renal failure, and heart disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left shoulder rotator cuff impingement and tendonitis, as well as left knee synovitis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensable disability ratings for right and left knee instability due to chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been granted. The cervical spine, left knee, right knee, and headaches (including migraines) claims are pending and need further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current abdominal disability or bilateral knee disability that is related to service. The claims for bilateral pes planus and talonavicular joint collapse are remanded as no opinion was provided regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service-connected plantar fasciitis. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for plantar fasciitis is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for gouty arthritis of both feet. The case is being remanded to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee arthritis, COPD, sleep apnea, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot gout.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection and rating for various conditions, as well as a hearing loss evaluation. The effective date for tinnitus remains November 3, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a left knee disorder, but has remanded it for further development due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current left knee disorders.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peptic ulcer disease, back disability, and bilateral knee disability. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: left knee strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee pain, Achilles tendonitis (claimed as bilateral heel pain), a sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including arthritis and knee/foot issues. The reasons are that VA failed to obtain relevant in-service medical records and did not have a fully informed decision due to lack of opinions from VA examiners regarding the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC (o) and need for regular aid and attendance was granted. The Veteran has been in receipt of the correct payment for his combined disability rating since August 2005.

The Board denied compensation for a cervical spine disability and left knee arthritis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 1151 due to lack of additional disability resulting from the July 2008 fall.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the back, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral knees, as well as his claim for benign prostate hypertrophy with urinary obstruction secondary to diabetes mellitus and medications taken for service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records from 1989 to the present, including those from the Michigan Healthcare Systems and VA Clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They are also directed to conduct any additional development needed and obtain an addendum opinion regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide any evidence linking his hypertension to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded due to lack of recent medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to obtain relevant medical records, verify in-service stressors, and provide further examinations.