Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee, left knee, pulmonary embolus and residuals, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's left knee DJD has worsened since it was initially service-connected, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent from January 4, 2018. Separate disability evaluations are granted for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disorder. Service connection for secondary shoulder, knee, and ankle disorders remains remanded.

The Veteran's left and right knee scars were denied compensable ratings.,A 20 percent rating for painful and unstable scars of the bilateral lower extremities was granted, but not in excess of that.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to new evidence submitted after the previous denial. The current disabilities are presumed to have existed prior to service but were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for his TDIU should be reconsidered based on the evidence of record and any new information regarding his employment and income since September 2012.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for back condition, diabetes mellitus, left and right ankle disorders (claimed as bilateral ankle), left and right knee disorders (claimed as bilateral knee), left shoulder condition (claimed as bilateral shoulder), right shoulder condition (claimed as bilateral shoulder), and stomach cancer. The evidence includes recent VA treatment records and a new VA examination opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 5, 2019, for the award of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is denied as there is no evidence of a claim filed before that date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and provide nexus opinions. The Veteran's service records do not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for most conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, increased ratings for left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for a wrist disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for diabetes mellitus or establish a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete opinions regarding secondary service connection and direct service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, right calf, and left calf disorders due to a lack of current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability. The left knee disability claim is denied.

The TDIU claim is being remanded because it is intertwined with other claims that have not yet been fully developed and decided. The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches, and bilateral knee disabilities are still under consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is being reviewed again as it may be related to service-connected pes planus.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to obtain VA examinations for the Veteran's left knee disability, low back condition, and headaches.,The Board has also found that there is insufficient evidence to grant service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED. The Veteran must provide information about his Social Security disability benefits and any relevant private medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee arthritis is related to his service-connected left knee disability, specifically if it was caused or aggravated by that condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% rating effective June 4, 2010. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left elbow disorder and initial ratings for left knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting new examinations.