Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for PTSD, hypertension, and high blood sugar was granted. The petitions for service connection of left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, bilateral pes planus, and left knee disorder were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service. Service connection for psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was also granted based on an established in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is denied as the evidence does not show that motion in the right shoulder has been limited to midway between the side and shoulder level, or more.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted effective from November 27, 2018; a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability and limitation of motion is denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted effective from November 27, 2018; a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability and limitation of motion is denied.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his service-connected left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination to assess the current severity and symptomatology of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and male reproductive system condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition but denied service connection for his right knee condition.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left knee condition is granted, and the original claim for service connection for this condition is also granted.

The claim of service connection for a right knee disability is reopened, and the case is remanded due to need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's current right knee disabilities are aggravated by his in-service injury. The issue of service connection for a right hip disability is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right knee claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the failure of VA examinations and lack of adequate rationale in previous opinions. The Veteran is not notified if she will receive a new examination or what conditions it will address.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records, conduct further examinations, and complete additional information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and bilateral knee disorders due to the need for further development and readjudication.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for earlier effective dates due to the receipt of additional relevant evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining any necessary records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back condition, bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, left lower extremity shin splints, PTSD, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to new and material evidence.,Service connection is remanded for these conditions as further development may be required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for GERD and bilateral hand disabilities, require additional examination to determine the severity of these conditions. The claims are therefore being remanded.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for right knee arthritis prior to February 12, 2016. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's condition from that date forward.

The Veteran's appeal of the left shin disorder claim is dismissed. The bilateral knee disorder claim has been remanded for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher staged initial ratings for his left and right knee conditions have been denied. The VA has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran’s knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.