Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to left knee instability, has been reopened. The Board also granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for both left knee flexion and left knee instability. However, the claims are being remanded due to procedural defects.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts and hernia has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder), and left ear hearing loss have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a separate initial compensable rating for ischemic changes of the brain, service connection for right knee disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right wrist DJD and CTS disabilities, and headache disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.,VA examinations are needed in order to address the Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service falls and subsequent falls after separation.

The Board has determined that the medical expenses incurred at Macon County General Hospital on July 21, 2012 were eligible for reimbursement due to the nature of the emergency and the unavailability of a VA facility.

The appeal as to entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal concerning the skin disability issue has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right ankle disability or service connection for any of the other conditions.

The Veteran's right long finger osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis associated with internal derangement are each rated at 10%. The Veteran is denied a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition has been reopened and granted. The Board also granted separate ratings of 20 percent disabling for severe pain and effusion as well as lateral instability resulting from service-connected right knee disability, effective March 1, 2008. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left knee condition, and chronic dry eyes due to incomplete development of his claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, has worsened and he needs a VA examination to assess its current severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the impact on the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for right knee disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for his right knee disorder due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and remanded the initial rating for left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The decision on the initial rating is mixed, as some issues were granted (left knee scars) and others were not (left knee strain).

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and right upper extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The left upper extremity radiculopathy, back condition, and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, hip, and left leg neuropathy disabilities due to their secondary nature to a service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran needs to provide Workers' Compensation records and undergo VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted as there were no claims filed prior to April 8, 2014. For stomach cancer, the claim was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and a right knee disability, including meniscal tear status post arthroscopic repair. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a low back disability and that the Veteran’s right knee condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various lower extremity disabilities, including left knee, hip, foot, and leg conditions, due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.