Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability and left quadriceps atrophy are granted service connection. The low back disability is reopened, but the right knee disability remains denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain treatment records from Dr. P and any other physicians, as well as information about a reported in-service incident.

The appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist repetitive overuse syndrome due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee limitation of flexion with arthritis, and right knee residuals of trauma are remanded for further development. Additionally, a TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined and must be addressed.

The Veteran's allergic reactions and bilateral feet condition are not service-connected.,The Veteran's sinusitis is not service-connected.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is manifested by at worst forward flexion to 50 degrees. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by at worst moderately severe incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by at worst moderate incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left knee condition is manifested by at worst frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s right knee traumatic arthritis is manifested by at worst painful motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s PTSD is manifested by at worst flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, and difficulty establishing and maintaining work and social relationships. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left wrist disability is manifested by at worst painful motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and kidney stones, but has remanded all other issues due to outstanding records. The cervical spine disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle avulsion fracture (left ankle disorder) and right knee disorder. The claim of service connection for the right knee disorder is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted for either condition due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence to establish a causal nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and her in-service activities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The residuals of the right thumb fracture, right knee DJD with patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee DJD with patellofemoral syndrome are all rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional evaluations of his right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding no evidence of chronic disease noted in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,Service connection was also denied for a left forearm condition, with the Board concluding that there is not sufficient evidence to link the current condition to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right knee strain with chondromalacia patella is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating under DC 5260. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not have limitation of motion to 30 degrees or more for extension or flexion.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, but the other issues related to right knee, left wrist, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to outstanding STRs.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left knee disability is remanded due to failure to notify the Veteran of the date, time and place of examination.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, back disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence submitted since the October 1998 rating decision is new and material, thus allowing these claims to be reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he has other service-connected disabilities that meet the threshold for a TDIU. The appeal is granted as to both issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions to determine if his skin conditions, including psoriasis, are related to service. The right knee injury claim is also being remanded for an opinion on whether any current right knee disability was present prior to service entrance or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for determining the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left and right knee disabilities was denied in June 2011, but he argues that the decision contained clear and unmistakable error. The Board is remanded to reconsider this issue.