Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as left ear hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the RO has granted restoration of their previous disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, kidney stone, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and sleep disturbances. The AOJ is instructed to ensure all relevant records are translated and obtain appropriate medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran is granted a temporary total rating (TTR) following left knee surgery, effective from the date of hospital admission and continuing for up to one year.,The Veteran's claims for right knee pain, low back pain, and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology or relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to issues with the examination reports and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim of service connection for a left ankle disability is being remanded, while increased ratings for right knee and right ankle osteoarthritis are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a left knee condition and asthma. The claims are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear diagnoses. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue was reopened, but the claims for hernia, left knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for left knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disability, which is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limitation of flexion, has not met the criteria for a higher rating. The case is remanded to further develop evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence submitted and need further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective April 27, 2018.,An earlier effective date was denied for the lumbosacral strain claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right hip disability has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective findings regarding pain on range of motion testing and functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various arm, leg, and knee disorders due to a lack of VA examinations in connection with these claims. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if he has any current diagnoses related to his reported symptoms and whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in a July 2019 written statement, leaving no issues for the Board to review.