Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30% for left knee residuals of a medial collateral ligament tear with limitation of flexion and a compensable rating for left knee limitation of extension associated with left knee residuals of medial collateral ligament tear with limited flexion due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected residuals of right knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. The Veteran must undergo another VA examination to determine if her current conditions are related to her active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and limited extension due to an inadequate explanation of motion loss during flare-ups in the April 2019 VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions due to his withdrawal of all appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including CFS, low back condition, left and right knee conditions, balance problems, cognitive problems, neuropathic or neurological condition, insomnia, and irritable bowel syndrome, has been granted. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection, but a higher rating is denied. The left knee injury claim has been remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee arthritis is service-connected, as it began during his active duty service and there is a medical nexus connecting the in-service injury to the current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, low back disorder, posttraumatic headaches with dizziness, bilateral hearing loss, and GI disorder.

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically limitation of flexion to 5 degrees and no more than 10 degrees of extension, was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to November 2, 2016.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as inadequate examinations for the claims of service connection for bilateral knees, right shoulder impingement, lumbar spine strain, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total evaluation due to surgical convalescence from January 1, 2015 to February 1, 2015 for the Veteran's left knee surgery. The appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia has been rated at 10 percent since April 27, 2010. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported in-service injuries and current symptoms. The claims will be remanded to allow for these evaluations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including back pain, dental problems, blood in the urine, kidney cancer, PTSD, and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease with tendonitis/synovitis. The decision also includes a request for VA examinations and an earlier effective date determination.

The Board has granted service connection for pharyngitis of the throat, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current right hand, right knee, left knee, right ankle, or left ankle disability related to service and therefore denied these claims. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical disability, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, vertigo, and lung/breathing disability. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient competent evidence of record.