Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of secondary service connection for left hip, bilateral shoulder, right knee, and left elbow disabilities as they are not related to his active duty service. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or aggravation that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limitation of motion, is rated at 30 percent effective April 3, 2015, but not earlier. Separate ratings for instability are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings, specifically lacking passive range of motion measurements.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressors in Turkey. The right knee disability, frostbite of the left-hand fingertips, and lead poisoning residuals are denied as there is no evidence supporting their onset during or related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and sinus conditions due to incomplete records, inadequate VA examinations, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the severity of his service-connected right knee disorders, as well as the nature and etiology of any left knee disorder, back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues include rating claims and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional evidence.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but has remanded the issue of an increased PTSD rating due to outstanding VA records.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip and bilateral knees, but denied service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee strain has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his right knee disorder and other conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral knee instability (right and left), and burn right hand have been granted service connection. The Board has also determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against higher evaluations for limitation of motion in both knees and a separate compensable evaluation for the burn right hand.

The Veteran's hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the knees were remanded for further evaluation as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has found that the issue of entitlement to TDIU is reasonably raised by the record and is part of the Veteran's increased rating claim for his right knee disability. The case is being remanded for further action, including sending a formal application for TDIU and adjudicating the issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and ankle disabilities, right knee disability, left hand disability, and right shoulder disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s hypertension to service, and determined that he could perform sedentary employment despite his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, DJD of the lumbar spine, and DJD of the right knee due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disabilities, both secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle and right knee disabilities. The decision is based on evidence that suggests these disabilities have been aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since September 24, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for any time during the appeal period.,The Veteran’s eye problems, left knee disorder, hypertension, and stomach problems (GERD and chronic diarrhea) are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.