Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has vacated its previous decision dismissing the appeal of service connection for bilateral knee and sinus conditions. The right knee condition is remanded for a new examination, while the sinus condition requires an opinion on whether it had its onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for patellar tendonitis, right knee with quadriceps insufficiency has also been denied due to the lack of additional functional loss or limitation in motion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to lack of compliance with previous directives and need for new examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings related to PTSD, radiculopathy of both upper extremities, meralgia paresthetica of both lower extremities, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The issues were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a right knee condition, tympanic membrane perforation, and an increased rating for hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of these appeals.

Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected back condition is granted.,The Veteran's multiple joint arthritis claim is remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right knee conditions are both remanded.,The Veteran's left knee strain rating is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected post-operative left knee strain with degenerative joint disease and left knee strain with degenerative joint disease associated with post-operative left knee strain, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination findings and a need for new medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from May 29, 2010. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment since his last day of work in May 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee instability and degenerative joint disease, as well as a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for right and left knee pain and instability have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his total knee replacement, is rated at 30 percent. The right knee disabilities are also addressed with separate ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected left thigh disability, and if so, what the rating should be.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has remanded the claims for service connection for a left foot disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of chondromalacia in his knees are considered at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, is currently rated at 20 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's left knee, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, is currently rated at 20 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, including increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as limitations on extension of both knees. The remand requires additional examinations to address functional loss due to flare-ups and repeated use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, evaluation of residuals of a right acromioclavicular joint separation, and whether the reduction in the rating for residuals of a left ankle osteochondral fracture was proper. The appeals are pending and will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding private medical records relevant to the Veteran's claims and has ordered their retrieval. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private medical records from her providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with a previous court decision regarding knee examination reports. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA knee examination to assess his right knee conditions.