Knee decisions — 2019

The appeals for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, left hip, with degenerative arthritis and an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for total knee arthoplasty, right knee from December 1, 2016 have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,The appeal seeking an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, right knee prior to October 5, 2015 has been dismissed as there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for slight recurrent lateral instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been partially granted, with some issues being granted while others were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are not specified.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral tinea pedis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for service connection of the right ankle disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals concerning higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with facet arthritis, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The appeal regarding eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance was also dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement (NOD) regarding the January 2016 rating decision was timely filed due to VA not following its regular mailing practices and sending the notification letter to the incorrect representative.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for upper back/cervical spine disability and left knee disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's disabilities are related to improper sleeping positions, arthritis from his service-connected conditions, and gait changes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and residuals of a right knee injury due to inadequate examinations in prior determinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 10, 2014, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Veteran also had his initial rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity increased to 20 percent and a TDIU granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations and obtain adequate medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, left and right knee disabilities, and duodenal ulcer do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition, left and right pelvis/hip conditions (to include as due to a knee disability), and a right shoulder condition.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient examination records. The Veteran's service includes parachute jumps which may be relevant.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for left knee disability, service connection for diabetes as secondary to PTSD, and service connection for erectile dysfunction. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine associated with traumatic osteoarthritis of the left knee. The Veteran needs another VA examination to assess his current disability status and functional impact.

The Board has found that further development is necessary for the Veteran's right knee strain and left-third-finger tendonitis claims due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disorder and service connection for a stomach disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.