Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Oak Hill Hospital on April 23, 2016 are denied as the treatment was not for a service-connected disability and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's appeals due to new evidence being added to the claims file, and requests that this evidence be reviewed by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability have been granted. The cervical spine disability has a rating of 20 percent, while the thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, neck, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities may be related to service. However, due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these claims, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are proximately due to injuries sustained in service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for numbness of the top and left side of the head, bilateral foot disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability as these issues have been resolved by a favorable rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are not related to his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis.,Service connection was also denied for COPD, with the Board concluding that it is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and foot disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence on record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

Service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension (HTN) has been granted. The Veteran's radial neuropathy of the right wrist is now rated with an effective date prior to May 12, 2011.,The rating in excess of 30 percent for the right shoulder disability and the rating in excess of 10 percent for the right wrist disability are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination in the previous decision.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for a stomach disability, right and left knee disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, and a right hand disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a temporary total rating for convalescence following left knee surgery and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all pertinent records, arrange for medical opinions as requested, and then adjudicate the claims.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee condition due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability related to the Veteran's service.,Service connection is remanded for hypertension and gastrointestinal conditions as there is insufficient competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. An examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's right knee synovitis is not rated higher than 10 percent, and his bilateral foot skin disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The left knee internal derangement issue requires further clarification regarding whether there is a history of a meniscal condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to failure to comply with previous remand directives and to obtain opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability, left knee disability, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for instability from April 1, 2011 to September 8, 2015 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee strain with painful motion is rated at 10 percent from September 11, 1995 to September 8, 2015 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's meniscus tear with frequent episodes of locking and joint pain is rated at 20 percent from September 8, 2015 to the present and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent from November 18, 2005 through January 28, 2013 and from May 1, 2013. The rating is denied as the Veteran’s arm motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee replacement was rated at 30 percent from June 1, 2006. The rating is denied as the Veteran's left knee did not exhibit chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The left and right knee conditions are related to his in-service injuries, as is the lumbosacral strain (back pain). Diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were not found to be due to herbicide exposure or Vietnam service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected. The issues of rating in excess for right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded.