Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a left knee disability. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.,Service connection cannot be established because there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.,The Veteran needs to provide more information about his reported stressors and any corroborating evidence.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher evaluation for osteoarthritis of the left knee has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and tension headaches (secondary to asthma), finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of left knee disability. The claims for nose trauma residuals, PTSD with anxiety and depression, sleep disorder (other than sleep apnea), TBI, and headaches were all granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for anterior cruciate ligament repair, right knee with osteoarthritic changes and anterior cruciate ligament repair, left knee with osteoarthritic changes have been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran’s representative.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to January 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a brain aneurysm due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's right knee disability is being examined again, and his claim for a brain aneurysm will be reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and pneumonia. The Veteran will be provided with an examination to determine if his current left knee condition is related to his service-connected right knee strain and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, as well as whether it is aggravated by these conditions. Additionally, a medical opinion will be sought regarding the etiology of any pneumonia-related disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as she withdrew her claims for various conditions and ratings. The VA granted a temporary 100% rating for right knee total replacement, but denied earlier effective dates.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for sinusitis and left knee pain, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea due to additional service treatment records received.

The Board has determined that the current record lacks sufficient evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's right knee disability claim and an additional medical opinion is necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for granting service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure and no medical opinion linking current symptoms to service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to the Veteran's right knee disability, back disability, TBI, respiratory disability, headache disability, left forearm scar, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disorder, neck disorder, bilateral foot disorder, right hip disorder, chest disorder, and bilateral foot fungus. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from VA facilities and any private providers.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disability, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, is granted as service connected. The evidence shows the Veteran has a current disability (degenerative arthritis) that manifested during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and diabetes mellitus type II were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and provide a new opinion addressing the nature and origin of these conditions.