Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a failure to comply with prior instructions. The Veteran is required to provide additional VA treatment records, especially from Salisbury VAMC and Hickory VA OPC, as well as SSA disability records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to receipt of additional evidence. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain all relevant records and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and right knee disabilities need further examination to determine their etiology and severity. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disorders are remanded due to missing service treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide the Veteran with VA examinations if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for hypothyroidism and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees as secondary to his hypothyroidism are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from Pensacola Naval Hospital.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 13, 2010 for the award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bilateral eye disorder, respiratory disorder, skin disorder, right knee disability, and right hip disability are remanded.

The claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected knee disabilities and low back disability. The issues of higher initial ratings for his right and left knee conditions, as well as service connection for a low back disability, are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being submitted after the March 2016 statement of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including right rotator cuff condition, back condition, asbestosis, and knee conditions are remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The appellant's left knee osteoarthritis claim remains in appellate status, while his generalized anxiety disorder claim requires a new examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee degenerative joint disease is denied, and a separate 10 percent rating for the removed meniscus is granted. The Veteran's total arthroplasty rating remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's right knee strain, meniscal tear, and instability are all granted with specific ratings. However, the initial rating for his total knee arthroplasty remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including back, knee, hip, ankle, and gunshot wound to the neck. The reasons include insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during or shortly after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, low back disability, headaches, left knee disability, sinus condition, and heart disability (left ventricular hypertrophy). The decision also notes that updated VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning February 4, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current knee problems to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating from November 7, 2010. The ratings for low back strain and left knee strain with scar remain denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left knee conditions require further examination to determine their current status.