Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims, including a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee recurrent lateral instability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee limitation of extension, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disorder is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hip and knee disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since August 2004. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a rating exceeding this level, as his symptoms have not warranted more than a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. The decision is due to lack of evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities is being remanded due to deficiencies in the July 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's left hip and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, effective January 27, 2019. The Board also granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for increased ratings for left knee instability and residuals of a left knee meniscal tear, as well as for service connection for a right knee condition are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from October 2, 2012, to August 25, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection related to psoriatic arthritis and associated conditions have been denied. The RO awarded separate evaluations for limitation of motion of the right hand, left hand, and left wrist as secondary to service-connected psoriasis with various disability ratings starting from March 6, 2013. The Veteran's claims were subsequently adjusted to reflect unfavorable ankylosis of digits in his hands and favorable ankylosis of his left wrist effective October 24, 2012.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for joint pain in the hips and knees, other than already service-connected left wrist and lumbar spine disorders, to include as secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right wrist and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete examinations and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee surgical scars are not compensable as they do not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7805 due to their size, stability, and lack of pain or instability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's service connection claims for further examination and review due to incomplete STRs and insufficient examinations in September 2015.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% evaluation for the entire appeal period. The Veteran’s chondromalacia of the right knee and residuals of TBI are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral shin splints and bilateral knee pain.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current mild degeneration is due to natural aging rather than service. The decision also considers the Veteran's assertions of continuity of knee symptoms during service and after discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral artery disease of the lower extremities and stroke, as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and left foot/ankle disability. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an updated VA examination of the Veteran's left knee.

The Board has decided that the claim of service connection for a right knee disability should be remanded due to new evidence being added to the record.