Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals at Loring Air Force Base during his service.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for left knee limitation of flexion prior to July 2, 2019, and a separate rating of 10 percent for slight instability of the left knee as of April 12, 2019. The Veteran's symptoms include pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and right knee strain due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at a non-initial disability rating of 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5258 for cartilage, semilunar, dislocated, with frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's ratings for right and left knee instability, as well as his TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, but has remanded several issues including service connection for a skin condition (claimed as eczema/folliculitis) and residuals of right hand fracture. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to new evidence supporting his theory of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on direct basis were denied. The rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee, right hip, left hip, left foot, and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot, knee, shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The decision is based on a lack of evidence demonstrating chronic disability or etiology related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding range of motion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues include secondary service connection for lower back pain, right knee condition, and left knee condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is denied. The Board finds that June 2, 2014, was the date of receipt for the Veteran's claim and concludes that June 2, 2013, is the current and proper effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examinations and missing treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her right foot bunion disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The left knee disabilities are remanded for further development as they may warrant increased ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for osteoarthritis of the left knee, right knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to lack of VA examination opinions on etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear and service connection for his low back disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Additional development is needed in both cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of right and left hip disorders, including as secondary to her service-connected left knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.