Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee strain, as the previous examination was inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and a higher rating for his disabilities has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination of the Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically regarding functional loss with repeated use over time. The TDIU issue is also being reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracic lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, but denied service connection for left hip condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine, left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, and right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded several claims related to various disabilities, including chronic pain and fatigue, knee and shoulder injuries, headaches, psychiatric disorders, and TMJ. The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities are currently rated at 100 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to Zostrix pain cream/capsaicin cream used for his service-connected knee degenerative arthritis is denied because the medication was not prescribed for a skin condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's TDIU and increased PTSD rating were granted, but the attorney fees for these decisions are denied because no NOD was filed for the PTSD increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is granted. The right knee condition claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to a service-connected disability or an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected left tibia and fibula impairment is granted a separate 20% evaluation for malunion with moderate knee or ankle disability. The other issues are denied as the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board has decided that an effective date of August 20, 2003, but not earlier, is granted for the award of service connection for right knee scars. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in January 1976, and the decision became final. The effective date of November 26, 2012, is assigned for granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hip osteoarthritis, left knee torn medial meniscus, lumbar spine disability, and ruptured left Achilles tendon due to inadequate VA examinations and missing treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper right lip scar, anterior/medial right knee scar, and left shoulder scars. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and left shoulder injury residuals were remanded.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease has worsened since the last examination in June 2015. The Board finds a remand necessary to obtain updated VA examinations and records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disorder may be related to his service-connected right knee disability, but a new examination is needed to determine this.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps on face and neck) is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or near his period of service. His bilateral hearing loss, however, is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are remanded for further examination and opinion.