Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but denied these claims as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to evaluate the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and obtain additional medical records. The Veteran testified that her condition has worsened since her last VA examination, and she needs a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee instability is remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and determine if new evidence of left knee instability has been submitted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for limitation of flexion. A separate compensable rating of 20 percent, but not higher, has been granted for frequent episodes of pain and swelling/locking since October 13, 2015.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for various conditions and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and hip disabilities, as well as his request for a higher rating for PTSD, have been granted. The claim for increased PTSD has resulted in a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of the claims for service connection and increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The Board will consider these issues before deciding on her TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with new examination results.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen service connection for various conditions were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The effective date for the award of service connection for anxiety disorder was not advanced as requested.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and improper scheduling of examinations for a deceased Veteran. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including a respiratory disorder, fatigue, hypothyroidism, low back disorders, right and left knee disorders, left ankle disorders, left foot disorders, and right foot disorders. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has found that a new examination is needed for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and bilateral knee disabilities due to conflicting medical evidence. The appeal is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot damaged nerve, low back pain, left knee condition, and sleep apnea must be remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board restored the Veteran's left knee disability rating from 20 percent to 20 percent effective April 1, 2018 after finding that the reduction was improper and not supported by evidence of actual improvement in his condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current knee conditions and service. The Veteran's sinusitis claim was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent.