Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of his left knee, lumbar spine, and foot disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right knee rating issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, and left knee degenerative joint disease were denied as new evidence did not show a relationship to service.,The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by, at least, employment that has less interaction with people.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for right knee degenerative osteoarthritis, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a link between the condition and his military service. The decision also grants service connection for this disability.

The appeal to establish that a Substantive Appeal of the September 29, 2014 rating decision was timely filed is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date prior to January 9, 2013, for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a right hip disability and remanded the cases of right and left knee degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeals on the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral knee disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service connection was also denied for benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms with obstruction. There was no evidence of onset during service or relationship to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding range of motion testing, pain, and functional loss.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the absence of treatment records, including for lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as hiatal hernia/GERD), and right knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not considered primary causes of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, was reopened but denied. The claim for secondary service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease due to a service-connected right knee condition is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his claims for a separate compensable rating for left knee instability and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and lower back disability due to incomplete service treatment records, lack of VA examination, and need for further medical opinions. The Veteran is also seeking Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder, finding that it clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her right knee replacement and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and employment information.

The Veteran's service-connected total right knee arthroplasty does not result in permanent loss of use of his foot, and therefore he is ineligible for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to any incident of active service.,The Veteran's right tibia disability is also not service-connected, as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, left knee, right knee, and left ankle degenerative joint disease. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.,There was no in-service diagnosis or treatment of any knee or wrist condition, and the VA examinations found current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease (arthritis) which were attributed to normal aging rather than service.