Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the right knee is reopened, while his rating for left knee strain remains remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (polysubstance abuse) and a left hip disorder. The claims were based on direct evidence of the conditions in question.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is granted. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease and total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his back condition, right knee condition, pes planus with pronation (bilateral), hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease first metatarsal base-cuneiform articulation (left foot), and hallux valgus (right foot) are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The osteoid osteoma of the left radius was found to be asymptomatic, while other disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and sleep apnea as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right hip and bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. Her current 10 percent ratings are upheld.

The claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's condition, as well as whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and requests for additional information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current evaluations for his service-connected lumbar strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability are not reflective of their present severity. Therefore, a new VA examination is required to determine appropriate ratings.

Service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability picture.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the bilateral hearing loss disability claim. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of verification of National Guard service and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left knee braces, as well as his back brace, caused wear and tear to his clothing due to their fabric covering. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for receipt of clothing allowances for the 2013 calendar year.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate medical opinions in prior decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of mandibular gingival disability and bilateral knee condition, but granted restoration of his PTSD rating to 70% effective June 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and obstructive sleep apnea, both found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for left and right knee patellar tendonitis, service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia and high blood pressure are remanded.

The Board previously denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement. The case is being remanded due to the failure to provide an adequate examination during a flare-up.