Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability, including as secondary to a fractured right pelvis. The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for his residuals of a fractured right pelvis and rib fractures affecting the left arm.,For the rib fractures issue, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to December 21, 2017, but denied any higher evaluations thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings and effective dates due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate December 2017 VA examination and opinion regarding loss of use of both feet. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated for their impact on her ability to use adaptive equipment or a vehicle.

The Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claims. The claims will be addressed on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is reopened, and the case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disability and the severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of medial arthrotomy of the left knee were granted a 20 percent rating prior to December 3, 2013. The condition was characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with joint effusion and locking episodes.

The Veteran's disability ratings were restored and increased, but the claim for an increase in his left knee disability was denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is granted service connection. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed elbow, shoulder, ankle, and knee disabilities. The Board will not make a decision on these issues until further evidence has been obtained.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his left knee arthritis was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, left ankle sprain condition and secondary arthritis, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability is being readjudicated due to new evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of left knee degenerative arthritis and that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether this disability began during active service. For the higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating higher than 20 percent from August 21, 2017 through January 28, 2019 is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss, service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and neck injury due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee disability and initial ratings for right knee disability due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and vascular disorders have been denied.,The Veteran's claim of diabetes mellitus has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that further development of the medical evidence, including a new VA examination and private treatment records, is necessary to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examination.