Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right knee total arthroscopy is rated at 60 percent effective April 1, 2017. A separate 20 percent rating for meniscus disability with joint effusion from June 13, 2003 to February 6, 2016 is granted. The Veteran's right knee instability prior to February 6, 2016 is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional VA examinations and the potential existence of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, foot disorders, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these areas or a causal link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right knee arthritis, left hip arthritis, and right hip arthritis are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's right ankle disability and left shoulder arthritis and right shoulder arthritis are proximately due (subsequent manifestation) of his now service-connected arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's initial rating for loss of use of the right foot prior to May 7, 2012 was granted at 40 percent. The rating in excess of 40 percent from May 7, 2012 is denied. Service connection for low back condition and right knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, and right shoulder condition due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and TBI have been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, both claims were denied as there is no established link between the conditions and military service.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left foot disability, right hip replacement with scar, and right knee DJD due to conflicting opinions on whether these conditions were aggravated by or caused by the Veteran's service-connected right foot condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, wrist, hand, and head trauma with scar disabilities are not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The Veteran also withdrew his claim seeking an earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the right knee replacement and DJD, is being remanded for further development due to inadequate examination records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, variably diagnosed as intermittent explosive disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and personality disorder. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine, low back, left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of abduction of the right hip; an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of extension of the right hip; and an initial compensable disability rating for limitation of flexion of the right hip prior to February 13, 2017 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his current employment as a letter carrier does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to marginal employment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, back disability, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow condition is denied.,The effective date of the award of service connection for bilateral knee DJD is set at February 17, 2011.,The Veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for right and left knee DJD are denied.,The Veteran is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 3, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, left knee, and bilateral flatfoot disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The examination is needed to determine if any current diagnoses are related to service.