Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and schizoaffective disorder, depressive type. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee gout, left shoulder DJD, and lumbar spine DJD were denied as the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, hypertension (presumptive due to herbicide exposure), bilateral knee strain, acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, and lumbar strain are all denied. The Veteran's claim for residuals of a left shoulder injury is remanded.,Service connection for the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The claims for service connection for cervical spine, right hip, right knee, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's right knee extension was limited to no more than 10 degrees from January 30, 2012 to February 5, 2015, warranting a 30% rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service connected knee disabilities. The rating for right and left knee disabilities have been increased.

The claims for service connection for periodontal disease, trauma to tooth number nine, left knee disability, HPV residuals, and Bell's palsy have all been denied.,No new or material evidence was submitted in support of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition has been reopened, and the issue of an increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease of the patellofemoral joint is being remanded. The issue of a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate for rating purposes and has therefore remanded the case to obtain new, adequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left eye disorder, right eye disorder, vision disorder, left knee condition, right knee condition, gastrointestinal disorder, stomach disorder, gout, and right elbow condition due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities prior to November 18, 2013 have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, right hip and left hip is denied. The Veteran's appeal for secondary service connection for a right knee disability due to his service-connected left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period.,Service connection for a back disability, including as due to service-connected bilateral hallux valgus and bilateral knee disabilities, is denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran’s current back disability and her service-connected bilateral hallux valgus or knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and fibromyalgia, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's OSA is being examined again to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected rhinitis and sinusitis. His fibromyalgia claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 as his falls and stroke were not caused by or became worse due to VA care, and there was no evidence of negligence or substandard care.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The examiner needs to provide a clear and unmistakable evidence that the pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left forearm disability, and right knee disability, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied as she does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow injury, left big toe injury, right knee arthritis, and right wrist injury are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is also remanded as the VA examiner did not consider whether her hearing loss was aggravated during a period of active duty.