Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right knee DJD and instability were both granted initial ratings, but the rating for right knee DJD was denied as it did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were severe enough to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 30, 2009. The Board granted the TDIU effective from June 30, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is dismissed as the benefit was granted in August 1993. Service connection for a left knee scar is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, bilateral feet, and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claims for bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a flatfoot disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for degenerative arthropathy of the left knee, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the disability met the criteria for such a rating within one year prior to the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and knee disorders due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection claims related to knee and hip disabilities, leading to the dismissal of these cases.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete VA examination results.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain post-service treatment records from the Department of Defense.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is causally related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hip contusion and knee contusion disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for right knee disability. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level I hearing impairment in his left ear. For the right knee disability, the Board found that VA examination was inadequate and ordered a new VA examination to determine if the disability is related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder, ankle, knee, and hip disabilities are granted service connection. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination regarding his hips, ankles, and feet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 10, 2001.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been granted an initial 50 percent rating, effective December 21, 2018. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule VA examinations as requested in previous remands. The issues on appeal are related to bilateral knee condition, left shoulder condition, low back condition, and diaphragm injury.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of service connection remain pending as they are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.