Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on instability, painful motion, or degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his right knee and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as all service connection claims have been granted, and the Veteran requested withdrawal of the hearing loss rating claim.

The Board has granted multiple clothing allowances for the 2015 calendar year based on the Veteran's use of various braces and creams. The AOJ is now required to effectuate this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for right knee disability prior to March 7, 2013 and for a rating in excess of 10 percent after March 7, 2013 has been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service. The Veteran needs a VA medical examination to determine if there is a link between his in-service injury and current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for a fractured 5th finger of the left hand.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, as the previous examination was inadequate.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders and his military service.,The preponderance of the probative evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and left leg hematoma disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle damage, left knee; left foot drop; MRSA infection; CIDP; pulmonary edema; heart disability (to include congestive heart failure); renal failure; and compromised immune system are all granted. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical strain and upper extremity radiculopathy are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, with no further increase in rating possible.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, meniscal tear, and patellofemoral pain syndrome as well as right knee strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The low back disability issue is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient detail in the VA examination regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically during flares or after repeated use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, adjustment disorder with depression), right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.,The Board found that there was no in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's lumbar spine or psychiatric disorders, and the diagnoses were not linked to service. For his right and left knee disabilities, the Board noted the absence of evidence showing onset during service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected back condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's arthritis of the left ankle, left shoulder, and right knee is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher evaluation for his left knee disability and for a temporary total evaluation due to hospital treatment or observation and convalescence. The Veteran is also entitled to a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids from February 22, 2011 to April 4, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any current disability was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were inadequate and remands the case for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conjunctivitis and right knee DJD.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee have been denied since April 26, 2019.