Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU and that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment in light of his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's right eye corneal scarring is not service-connected, and his left hip and knee degenerative joint disease are being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee osteoarthritis and instability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding functional loss on flare-ups or repeated use over time. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to provide these opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further consideration by the AOJ, as a new VA examination was received and not previously considered.

The Veteran's increased rating for left knee DJD and separate ratings for instability and residual scars are granted as of April 6, 2015.,An earlier effective date is denied for the increased rating of 20 percent for left knee DJD and the separate ratings for instability and residual scars.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her claims of service connection for various conditions, including burn scars of the face, depression and anxiety disorder, right knee condition, left knee condition, sarcoidosis, left hand condition, and facial twitches.,Effective date prior to January 21, 2014, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, as well as separate ratings for instability in both knees, were granted. However, a higher rating is denied for the left knee injury residuals and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee DJD, claimed as chondromalacia, is denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Board has granted restoration of the previously reduced ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with instability, but denied service connection for a low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including nosebleeds, neck disorder, allergies, asthma, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, bilateral knee disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), finding no new and relevant evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 13, 2018 for the grant of service connection for right and left knee instability. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 10% for each knee as of January 13, 2018.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including knee and hip conditions and cancers. The remand includes requesting addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not warrant a higher than 70 percent evaluation, and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, right and left shoulder disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), migraine disability, abscess in genital area, and right hip condition due to potential issues with medical evidence not being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression, anxiety, and depressive disorder), left knee pain, right knee pain, right ankle pain, left ankle pain, and low back disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for sinus disability, headache disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hand rash. The Veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral ankle disability as there is no evidence of such condition in the record.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, foot, and lower/middle back conditions due to new evidence. However, these claims are remanded as further medical examination is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral back strain, traumatic brain injury, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred or caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.