Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, by a service-connected disability.,VA did not find that the Veteran’s death was due to VA negligence in providing care.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development of medical evidence, including obtaining treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left ankle disorder, and left hip disorders are granted. The cases of the left knee disorder and right thigh disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional evidentiary development, including a VA examination to evaluate his patellofemoral arthritis of both knees and determine whether he experiences instability in either knee. The matter is being returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left knee disability, and GERD due to conflicting medical opinions and need for new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for the 2017 calendar year was denied due to his application being filed after July 31, 2017. The Board has decided to remand the case for clarification on whether the right knee brace used by the Veteran tended to wear or tear his clothing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service. The right knee condition is also found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection.

The Veteran's chronic migraine headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis.,His bilateral feet onychomycosis with history of left great toe subungual fungal infection is rated at zero percent due to the lack of affected body or exposed areas.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his lumbosacral strain, cervical spine, and knee conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was granted on May 19, 2014. Effective from that date, he is now entitled to a separate rating of 10 percent for instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee condition and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not service-connected, with the exception that his right knee is already service-connected. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to assess his service-connected psychiatric disability, lumbar spine and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right and left knee disabilities. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for various knee disabilities and service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, hand and shoulder conditions, eye disorders, hearing loss, migraine headaches, and knee disorders. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of back disability, bilateral knee strains, and tinnitus as the Veteran abandoned his claims after VA requested additional information to obtain his service medical records.,VA received the Veteran's claim for tinnitus on December 5, 2012, which was also when he filed a new claim for service connection. The effective date remains at December 5, 2012.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's vertigo and migraine headaches are also being remanded for VA examinations to determine their relationship to service.,A new rating decision will be issued after the examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral foot disorders, right and left knee disorders, and right and left shoulder disorders. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records.,Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as the evidence does not meet VA standards for a disability.