Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating appeals for cervical spine disability and right knee disability were denied. The Veteran received a separate 20 percent rating for moderate instability and subluxation of the right knee from November 1, 2018 to May 22, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from June 27, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left knee, low back, and right hip conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are found to be so severe that they preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthrosis of the left knee, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are continuous since service and meeting the requirements for presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disorders as secondary to the service-connected bilateral foot disorder. The appeal was also denied for service connection of hip disorders (right hip and left hip) as secondary to the service-connected bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate addendum medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability aggravated her right knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for right knee limitation of extension and lateral instability, finding that there was no sustained improvement in either condition at the time of the reduction.

The Board has decided that the appellant's right knee/leg disability is not service-connected under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C. and has ordered additional development to obtain missing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability (osteoarthritis) and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are related to service. However, due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding records, the claims must be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed hip, knee, and TBI disorders. The claims are not granted as there is no evidence that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees is not etiologically related to active service, including as due to his service-connected lumbar disc degeneration.

The Veteran's appeals for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and higher disability ratings for right knee arthritis and right leg muscle atrophy were denied. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet eligibility criteria for these benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to these conditions. The remand requires a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee and lower leg disability, as well as bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete information and need for further examination.