Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues including the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, with a focus on obtaining additional medical opinions to address potential secondary service connections and the nature of his kidney disability. The Veteran is also required to provide VA examination records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied because the substantive appeal was not filed within 60 days of the March 2015 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including left knee condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the presence or causation of these conditions during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, specifically his claim that it began in service. The case will be sent back for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for right and left knee degenerative arthritis were granted effective May 10, 2010. This decision is based on the evidence received at that time.

The Veteran's PFB is granted a 30% evaluation, and the claims for service connection of lumbar spine disability and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee meniscal tear, which required a meniscectomy, was likely incurred during his active service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no legal basis for the assigned schedular evaluations, effective dates, or determinations regarding service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected, and her right knee internal derangement with symptomatic residuals of semilunar cartilage removal has been granted a 10 percent rating from September 23, 2006 to September 24, 2007 and from November 1, 2007 onward.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left shoulder strain, AC osteoarthritis, and status post Bankart repair is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms more nearly approximate limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for service-connected left knee strain and osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms more nearly approximate limitation of flexion to 15 degrees.

The application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder and low back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a right knee disorder and lower back disorder, both claimed as secondary to his left leg amputation below the knee, were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left hand and left knee conditions due to potential secondary effects from service-connected right hand and right knee conditions. The Veteran's SSA records are requested, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder, and skin disorder. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's death was caused by a stroke, which is not related to his service-connected left knee disability. The appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as she did not show that he had been continuously rated as totally disabled due to his service-connected disability or due to unemployability for at least 10 years preceding his death.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that a pre-existing left knee condition existed prior to service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s current left knee disability is not related to or aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, and right knee disability can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claim will be remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus, a right knee disability, sarcoidosis, and traumatic brain injury due to incomplete records and lack of supporting medical evidence.