Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to her service-connected temporomandibular joint syndrome. Her hypertension and acne are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or aggravation beyond its natural progression. The back and right knee disabilities, as well as the skin condition (eczema or dermatitis), are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities, including a separate rating for right knee meniscal tear, increased ratings for various knee conditions, and an evaluation of his back disability. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate medical evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left knee disability and GI disability due to incomplete compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's service records indicate she may have injured her knee during basic training, but STRs from that period are unavailable. For the GI issue, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether GERD was diagnosed in-service or post-service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient documentation and unclear reasons for not performing the requested examinations. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to assess his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities, as well as his positional sleep-disordered breathing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate nexus opinion and need for verification of periods of active duty. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's disability rating for right knee medial meniscectomy residuals, status post total knee arthroplasty was restored from April 1, 2016 to a 60 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and examination regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, shoulder disorder, back strain, rhinitis, and GERD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain STRs from reserve and National Guard service periods, private medical records, and VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and remanded them for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, right ankle condition, and right knee condition. The Veteran's nose injury is also remanded for further examination.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis secondary to a nose injury is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and hair loss. The Veteran's vision problems, tension headaches, shoulder conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, and back condition are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has ordered the case back to be remanded for additional development due to issues with medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connected, with the condition first diagnosed in 1993 and linked to his military service via air gun inoculations. The other conditions are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis or no evidence linking them to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee condition and for a temporary total evaluation due to his service-connected ACL and MMT repair. The claims are being returned to the RO for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are at least in equipoise as to whether they render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The right and left knee disabilities remain remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2010. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 40 percent since December 7, 2016. His left knee retropatellar pain syndrome remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 26, 2001.