Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection is now established for right knee post-traumatic arthritis, status post meniscus removal; back disability (secondary to a right knee condition); and chronic dyspepsia with history of bleeding peptic ulcers.

The Veteran's hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, left foot disability, left-hand disability (including nerve damage and scar), pseudofolliculitis barbae, and alopecia areata have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, lumbar spine, and right lower extremity disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left knee condition, and right knee osteoarthritis. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee surgery required convalescence and the VA has granted a temporary total disability rating based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded due to unclear evidence of current disabilities, and his diabetes mellitus, type II, may be related to service under presumptive provisions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded as there was no consideration of a one-year presumptive period.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and low back disability are remanded due to unclear evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there was no consideration of a one-year presumptive period.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee total replacement, left knee medial epicondyle enthesopathy, and right knee scar do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for left and right knee disabilities, a higher rating for lumbar spine disability, and the Veteran's request for new evidence to reopen his claims. The case is returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any left knee neurologic abnormality, including numbness and tingling, as a residual of his service-connected left knee medial meniscectomy or an additional distinct separate neurological condition. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the extraschedular rating issue.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities (PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a right knee and left shoulder disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of left knee injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disability have been granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's active duty status, and additional medical examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examination in support of these claims.

The appeal pertaining to the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as status post arthroscopy and degenerative joint disease, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining military personnel records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip and knee pain as well as the claim for special monthly compensation due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's hip tumor, left shoulder injury, right knee disability, and left knee disability are not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for the hip tumor, left shoulder injury, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of his Reserve service, including jump training. The Veteran should be provided with a new examination considering all evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease is granted an initial 30 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's left knee instability and flexion/extension limitation are granted a separate 10 percent rating in addition to his maximum schedular 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint.