Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's right knee and lumbar strain due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination, including lack of information on current symptomology and functional loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent, a compensable rating for his left leg scar is needed, and the VA will conduct new examinations to determine the etiology of any hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, back disabilities, knee disabilities, and cephalgia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee instability is remanded due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examination in October 2018. A new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following his right knee surgery, finding that he did not require at least 30 days of convalescence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee condition was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's skin pigmentation disability is granted with a 10 percent rating. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for GERD and right knee strain has been withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for sinusitis as secondary to asthma and headaches as secondary to sleep apnea and depression.,The Veteran’s claims have been remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his GERD and right knee strain.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence in service records. The case is being remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim for a right knee disability due to new and material evidence, but has remanded it for further development as there is insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, hip, and ankle disabilities were previously denied in an August 1995 rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent since July 27, 2011. The left knee disability remains rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his right knee disability under DC 5055.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or continuity of symptoms after service. The Board also found that any current arthritis is more likely due to age-related degenerative changes rather than service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 12, 2013 and February 26, 2013 for service connection of right knee osteoarthritis and right hip disability are remanded due to pending issues.,These cases will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back strain, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome due to missing service personnel records. The Veteran's complete reserve record is needed to make a fully informed decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Appellant's right-foot disorder, right-knee disorder, left-knee disorder, and lumbar-spine disorder are all under review.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a left ankle disability, were denied. The current 10% ratings are appropriate given the limited functional loss in motion.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities, PTSD, and bilateral pes planus are remanded due to the need for additional evidence. His claim for service connection for hearing loss is also remanded as it was incorrectly adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development of evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically related to range of motion measurements.

The Board has remanded three claims: right ankle disability, patellofemoral DJD of the right knee, and patellofemoral DJD of the left knee. The right ankle claim is for extraschedular consideration, while the right and left knee claims are for increased ratings.