Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a left 4th metacarpal bone fracture and bilateral knee disorder was denied as there is no medical evidence to support the connection between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient attempts to obtain VA and private medical records, particularly related to bilateral hip replacement surgeries and left knee disorder. The Veteran is also requested to provide any missing private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis was denied. The current disability rating of 10% is based on limitation of motion, with flexion limited to 110 degrees and extension limited to 5 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and cervical stenosis, status post C-6 discectomy due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required for each claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and hypertension due to insufficient evidence, including in-service blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including back disorder, left and right knee disorders, chronic liver disease, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain complete medical records, conduct additional examinations, and provide appropriate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to September 4, 2009 and denied any increase in rating from that date. The issue of increased rating for the period since July 1, 2018 is remanded due to additional development being required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an initial compensable rating from March 4, 2010 to July 24, 2011 and an increased rating more than 10 percent from July 25, 2011 and continuing thereafter for a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent since February 1, 2017. The appeal for service connection of a lower back disability and pension issues are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee strain has been rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of limitation in motion.

The Veteran's right knee instability and limitation of extension are rated at 10 percent each, effective August 21, 2015. The left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent from August 21, 2015 to December 16, 2015, and then at 30 percent post-total arthroplasty.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as she has not met the minimum percentage requirements for consideration of a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's left knee scar was denied an initial compensable rating, and his claim for TDIU is remanded due to its inextricability with the left knee disability appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have started during active duty. The left knee, right hand, and ankle conditions were denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service. The right foot condition was also denied for the same reason. Service connection for thyroid and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.,The Veteran's left knee, right hand, and ankle conditions were not granted as they did not have a link to his military service. His right foot condition was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's thyroid condition is being remanded because the July 2015 VA examiner found that it may be aggravated by another condition (heart condition). Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, and left ankle disorder. The appeal was also remanded for further action on other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 8, 2006.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various disabilities as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right knee disability need to be reviewed again due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.