Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, including those from November 2018 to the present. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors in the previous rating decision. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right shoulder, right knee and left knee disabilities were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals prior to a decision being made.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and TBI, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left varicocele are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not yet fully decided, as they have been remanded multiple times. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims, including a right knee disability rating prior to January 10, 2018, TDIU claim, and whether the service-connected disabilities alone preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability, including bilateral hip replacements and Legg-Perthes disease, has been granted. The Board also remanded the issues of initial compensable ratings for left and right knee disabilities as well as TDIU.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee, lumbar spine, left shoulder, and left rib disabilities. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for these examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as arthritis. The cases of lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, diabetes mellitus type II, and amputation of the right great toe are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease with osteoarthritis in both knees and his active service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence received since his last Statement of the Case. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any recent medical care providers and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU, and his combined rating is 40 percent. The Board finds that referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis and instability due to new evidence received since the February 2016 statement of the case, including SSA records and VA/privae medical records. A new examination is also required.

The Board has granted service connection and an initial rating of 30 percent for residuals of a left groin disability, as well as granting service connection for multiple conditions including bilateral shoulder disabilities, low back disability, left hip disability, right knee condition, and left ankle condition. The Veteran's PTSD is also rated at the maximum schedular level (70 percent) since May 22, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and left great toe disability due to inadequate VA examinations in June 2017. Further examination is needed to determine if any of these disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is denied for an increased rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions related to his military service has been denied. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the evaluation of existing disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of notification for a VA examination and failure to obtain requested medical opinions. The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is being reviewed again.