Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of current disability, as well as no evidence linking any past in-service knee issues to present conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and/or secure substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a separate rating for left knee medial meniscus tear and remanded the issues of higher initial ratings for low back disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a 20 percent rating, and his skin disability remains at 10 percent. The right knee arthritis does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tendonitis and residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, as well as mechanical low back syndrome, due to the need for additional medical examination to reassess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and patellofemoral pain syndrome are being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, his polyuria is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder, right and left knee patellar tendonitis from August 17, 2010 to January 18, 2012 was partially granted. He is now receiving a 10% rating for the period of time mentioned. The Board found that he did not meet criteria for higher ratings at any point during this period.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for an eye condition, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disability, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for the right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bunions, psychiatric disorders, and other disabilities, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and a right knee disability have been reopened. The appeal of these issues is granted.,Service connection has also been granted for a chronic headache disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine strain and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees. The right leg disability, other than right knee osteoarthritis, is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is granted as incurred in service. The right knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was dismissed. The remaining issues regarding his knee conditions were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorders, hepatitis C, and headaches due to new evidence received since the last denial. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability claim records. The low back disability case requires a VA medical opinion to determine if the extra lumbar vertebra is a congenital disease or defect, and whether it was aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (pes planus), right foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being added to the record and a need for further development before the issues can be adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability as there is no current evidence of such a condition.