Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee disorder and sleep apnea due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reviewed again as secondary to pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various elbow, knee, hip, and sleep apnea disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 100% effective June 3, 2016.,TDIU on a schedular basis was denied as the Veteran did not meet minimum requirements prior to June 3, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, and left ear hearing loss require additional development due to inadequate examination reports and missing records.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion, and for an evaluation higher than 10 percent for post-operative torn medial meniscus of the right knee prior to April 5, 2019, and higher than 20 percent thereafter. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of low back, right knee, and left hip disabilities. The Board dismissed the appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back disorder, right side leg disorder, and right knee disorder due to a lack of medical evidence on record.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an additional VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disability, ankle disabilities, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status were granted effective February 18, 2014. The Board denied earlier effective dates as the evidence did not show a claim was filed prior to this date.,The Veteran attempted to file claims in October 2003, 2005, and 2014 but was told by VA employees that her service records could not be located or she would need to seek treatment at a VA medical facility. She provided lay statements supporting these attempts.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new examination due to inadequate previous examinations and the need to clarify the etiology of his left below-the-knee amputation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The left knee and left shoulder disability claims are remanded as additional development is needed, including obtaining STRs and verifying duty status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of updated evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred injuries during combat service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The Veteran's current diagnosis is degenerative arthritis, which developed over many years post-service.,Service connection for hypertension and prostate disability are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, but not higher. The right shoulder tendinitis with impingement syndrome and right knee osteoarthritis are both denied ratings higher than the current 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right knee from February 11, 2015 is granted. Right hip tendonitis with painful motion and limited flexion does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for left knee chondromalacia patella and DJD based on limitation of flexion, but denied any increase in the disability rating.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, elbow, and hand disabilities, as well as a lumbar and cervical spine disability. The claim for left knee disorder was reopened due to new evidence, but the other claims were denied.