Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability and remands for further examination.

The Veteran's representative reported that the Veteran claims his knees have increased in severity since he was last examined by VA. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip and left knee disorders, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to service-connected conditions, finding that the orthopedic devices and analgesic balm were not qualifying under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are reopened. The Board has ordered the AOJ to obtain a new medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s current back disability is related to his service-connected bilateral ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee disability were denied. The rating for the period from December 10, 2009 to June 7, 2011 was denied as there was no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees. A separate rating for right knee instability was granted. For the period after August 1, 2012, a higher rating for his total knee replacement was denied due to lack of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and its relation to service. A new examination is needed to determine if a current disability exists and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to frostbite, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to frostbite. The VA examiner found that there is no indication prior to 2014 that the Veteran suffered any complications from these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is at least as likely as not related to her active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The right knee osteoarthritis is also found to be at least as likely as not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no more, for left knee instability and meniscectomy is granted on and after September 24, 2012. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The VA will schedule examinations to determine if there are any underlying disabilities, whether they are related to service, and if so, what rating should be assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to new evidence indicating worsening of symptoms since previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clarification on the nature and cause of his current conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be related to his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, right and left knee disorders, and a psychiatric disorder due to the need to obtain VA medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, left ankle disability, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right ankle disability due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider functional impairment.