Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion regarding service connection for a renal mass on both a direct basis and as secondary to the service-connected diabetic nephropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, a rating in excess of 50 percent for panic disorder, and TDIU. The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a right knee condition and insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities as well as other rating claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the claims of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability, the application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, and the claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder, a right knee disability, and fibromyalgia. However, it denied these claims as there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between her current conditions and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a left foot disability due to lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee condition was rated at 20 percent prior to April 3, 2012 and then increased to 30 percent after his total knee arthroplasty on April 3, 2012. The Board found that the current rating of 30 percent is not warranted for the period from June 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for torn ACL/MCL and meniscus of the left knee, neck disability, and pinched nerve, center back due to inadequate examinations. The cases are returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability had its genesis in service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that they are related to his in-service injuries. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on range of motion or other criteria.,The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on range of motion or other criteria.,The Veteran's left heel injury disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on severity or functional impact.,The Veteran's left heel skin graft site disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on the nature of the scar.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a right knee disability was granted. The appeal to reopen service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left knee disabilities. The reasons for remanding these cases include the need for further VA examinations to address functional impairment and other medical findings.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rating claims and service connection requests. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any available Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee subluxation and left calf injury with tendonitis/tendinosis are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of worsening since his last examination in November 2016.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it is related to his service or his service-connected residuals of crush injury, left great toe.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected left knee scar, low back disability, bilateral hip and foot disabilities. Further examination and opinion are needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.