Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and cervical spine disability, as well as his request for an increased rating for lumbar strain. The effective date of the grant of a 20% evaluation for lumbar strain was not granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further medical examination.

The appeal of the issues related to migraines, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and left second metacarpal fracture is dismissed as these conditions have been awarded service connection. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the lack of a separation examination report. The Veteran's active service from May 1989 to May 1993 is noted, and he elected to have a separation medical examination prior to his discharge.

The claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened, but the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including acne vulgaris, left knee disability, callosities of the feet, and left ear hearing loss. The back disability issue is also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosis of any knee disability during service or within one year of separation from active duty. The Board also found no competent evidence linking the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee arthritis to his active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to service and denied.,The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus, his claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,There is no evidence of chronic residuals from the in-service right knee injuries and the Veteran’s current condition is less likely due to military service. His claim for a right knee disorder is denied.,The Veteran does not have a current pseudofolliculitis barbae disability, as confirmed by VA examination, and thus his claim is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle scar is rated at 0 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent, with no higher rating granted.,Prior to October 16, 2018, the lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent; as of that date, it is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not rated higher than 20 percent.,A higher rating for a left eye disability is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right eye disability, chest disability, and headache disability remains remanded.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability from March 1, 2014 to September 15, 2015, left knee disability, and a temporary 100 percent rating based on surgical treatment for the right knee requiring convalescence are all remanded.,Effective dates prior to specific dates for service connection grants or increased ratings are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of his claimed conditions are related to military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% prior to March 14, 2011 and denied thereafter. The right knee 'locking and popping' condition is also rated at 20%. The left knee instability conditions are each rated at 10%. No higher ratings are granted.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand orders and the claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability with scar, has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's testicular cancer is related to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his knee disabilities and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will need to provide information about any private healthcare providers who have treated him, and VA will obtain these records. He will also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee conditions and an audiologist will examine him to determine if he has hearing loss related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, as well as TDIU. The issues include right ear hearing loss, left knee strain, skin disability (to include dermatitis or lupus), left hand disability, right knee disability, and right thumb disability.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for status post meniscectomy, left knee instability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD, left knee.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to failure to report for VA examinations and other procedural issues. The appellant's active duty included exposure to noise, fuel and oil, and in-service injuries that may have caused his current disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lower back disorder and bilateral knee disabilities are denied as not incurred or aggravated during service.,The Veteran's right knee disability requires further examination due to inadequate previous VA opinions.