Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and examination to address his claims of service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain private treatment records from the United Brick Masons of Evansville that may be relevant to the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Veteran's left knee condition has worsened, and he is seeking a higher rating. The most recent VA examination did not comply with the requirements in Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017).

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for depressive disorder NOS, thoracic dextro scoliosis, lower back disorder, IBS, GERD and DJD of the bilateral knees. The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle disability and left knee disability due to insufficient medical nexus opinions. The claims will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and tinnitus have been granted. However, the remaining claims related to bilateral lower extremity disability, bilateral upper extremity disability, urinary disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability (secondary to left ankle), lower back disability (secondary to left ankle), bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a ruptured ear drum have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to the cervical spine, left knee, left hip, lumbar spine, right hip, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities. Additionally, he withdrew his claim for a TDIU prior to June 29, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for fibromyalgia, right knee disability, and abdominal or gastrointestinal disability. The rating for the left knee scar was reduced from 10% to 0%, effective September 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is related to service, specifically his tae kwan do training, flight jumps, and running. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as their impact on his employment. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the rating claims.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the right cheek, left neck, and right knee are rated at a compensable level (20%) since May 12, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion and 10 percent for limitation of extension, effective November 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbar spinal strain, hypertension, and dysthymic disorder are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his left knee disabilities and potential claims for service connection for disability of the hands and feet are being remanded. The SMC claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hip, back, shoulder, and knee disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The right knee and left knee disability claims are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions and examination reports regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and left knee disability. The cases will be reviewed again after obtaining additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The VA is remanding the cases related to his left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, scar associated with status-post discectomy of lumbar spine with DDD, TDIU, left knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the new evidence, which is April 20, 2016.