Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability and his claim for service connection for a heart disability. The decision is not clear on whether these claims are about service connection or just about rating adjustments.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's pain was subjective and intermittent, not constituting a disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1110.,The Board also denied service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), concluding that it is more likely caused by obesity rather than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and a low back disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the May 2017 examiner. The matter of TDIU is also referred to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations. The issues of service connection and reopening of claims are addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic chondromalacia of both knees due to inadequate VA examination findings. The case is now pending further development and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain and degenerative joint disease, as well as his right total knee replacement with shin splints, are granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left wrist injury, left knee condition, right knee condition, and hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss are all being reviewed due to new evidence received since their previous decisions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and sleep apnea were denied as they did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for the left knee disability was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service. The initial rating for the left knee disability was also denied due to lack of compensable symptomatology under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for bilateral pes cavus and remanded the service connection claims, including TDIU. The case is now being remanded again to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right leg fracture and left leg fracture with knee replacement are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected pes cavus.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tibial stress fractures of the left and right lower extremities have been granted. The case is also remanded to address a claim for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he requested the withdrawal of his claim for a higher rating for his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, and therefore he does not qualify for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder impingement, right shoulder impingement, and right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder total joint arthroplasty due to lack of a VA examination addressing his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a 20 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (to include as due to herbicide exposure) and service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (to include as due to asbestos and herbicide exposure) are stayed. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.,The Veteran has current right and left knee disorders that may be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for supraventricular arrhythmias is remanded. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.,The Veteran has current right and left knee disorders that may be related to his military service, but a VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for supraventricular arrhythmias is remanded. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the stay is lifted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's additional disabilities are due to carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.