Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service. The examiner should address the Veteran's reports of left knee pain and assessments of patellofemoral syndrome during service, as well as a surgery in 2004.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations for right knee femoral and sciatic nerve disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the effective date issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee pain due to incomplete development, including a lack of an opinion addressing whether the current knee disabilities are related to service or caused by working on the ship and incorrectly walking due to leg infections.

The Veteran's right knee disability and instability have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective May 9, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity neurological impairment, bilateral plantar fasciitis and bone spurs, left knee patellar subluxation and chondromalacia, and bilateral hip trochanteric bursitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a herniated disc L5-S1, postoperative hemilaminectomy, foraminotomy, and discectomy with degenerative changes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for left knee and hip disabilities, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 20, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension and a separate 30 percent rating for instability. The higher rating for instability is granted, but the higher rating for limitation of extension is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues. The Veteran's testimony and wife's observations suggest his sleep problems may have started in service, but further examination is needed to determine if this is true.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right leg disability, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Board found no current diagnosis of or treatment for the claimed conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disorder and remanded the claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated with a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion, and the claim for an increased rating for status post left medial meniscectomy with post-operative scar was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder and residuals of neck injury, as secondary to service-connected disabilities, have been dismissed due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to additional pertinent VA medical records that have not been considered yet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a TBI or right knee disability that began during his active duty service.,Regarding the cervical spine disability, the Board finds that additional examination and opinion are needed to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to a failure to obtain necessary medical records, particularly those related to the Veteran's back and knee disorders. The VA is instructed to seek these records and provide an addendum opinion if needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their current severity and frequency. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent prior to November 3, 2015, and at 20 percent since that date. The Board has ordered a new VA examination due to the Veteran's contention of recent regression.