Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for a right ring finger disability is also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence showing it during or proximate to the pendency of the claim.

The case is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for updated VA treatment records, as well as a new examination of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding functional loss and flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left knee strain as there are insufficient medical records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran needs to provide updated argument, treatment records, and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for painful motion, but no higher. The Board has remanded the issue of increased rating.,There are no compensable scars on the Veteran’s right knee.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically hypertension, right knee DJD, and RLS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,The Veteran's psychiatric disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his knee conditions.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been denied.,The Veteran was not granted a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the right knee osteoarthritis is related to the in-service arthroscopy for plica release.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The AOJ is to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records, including any from Vietnam service. They are also to schedule new VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected low back strain or directly related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee condition, and Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) due to insufficient evidence. The case must be returned to VA so that they can obtain additional medical records and ensure all relevant personnel records are available.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and right hip iliopsoas tendonitis. The effective date of the grant is set to February 19, 2015.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since July 3, 2005. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not show additional functional limitation that would approximate the criteria for even a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are being remanded as the VA examiners did not adequately address whether they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to determine if he has a current hearing loss disability, and its likely etiology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded to determine its likely etiology, including whether it was incurred in service.,The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are being remanded as the VA examiners did not adequately address his request for treatment during service or any head injury therein.,The Veteran's TBI and migraine headaches are being remanded to determine their likely etiology.

The Veteran's appeal regarding scoliosis and kyphosis of the back was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee disabilities were denied due to lack of additional functional impairment beyond limitation of motion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions need further examination to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee scar, post-traumatic arthritis, and RPS with instability due to incomplete examination findings. The Veteran's conditions are currently rated as 10 percent for each condition.