Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed and does not receive concessions regarding his disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to outstanding medical records and worker’s compensation records.

The Board has found that more development is necessary and the case is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records from the Veteran's orthopedic surgeon, Dr. T.M.

The Veteran's death is remanded for a VA examiner to determine if the medication used to treat his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities was a principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus, right shoulder disability, neck disability, back disability, and right knee disability for further development as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling additional examinations to address the Veteran's knee conditions and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted. Service connection for the other conditions (left shoulder, tinnitus, and pilonidal cyst) is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's preexisting condition not being aggravated by his active service.,The Board also denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding no evidence of such a condition during or within one year after service and no medical nexus between current symptoms and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder has been reopened and is granted. The appeal as to secondary service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction is dismissed. Service connection for left knee and bilateral foot disorders remains remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his post-TKR right knee disability and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a current VA examination to determine the severity of her left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety and depression, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities. The appeal is dismissed for all other issues.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right knee strain and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include tinnitus, hearing loss disability, low back disability, right knee disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), heart palpitations, and a disability of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) including grinding of teeth.

The Veteran's right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities based on their being related to his now service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee DJD, left foot diabetic ulcer, chronic bronchitis, and left foot cellulitis. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions in the record.,For the remanded issues, the Board will seek additional medical opinions to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current hip flexor strain and knee synovitis with his service.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent during the appeal period.,The Veteran's residuals of fracture in his right fourth metacarpal finger were also found not to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and provide a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has ordered a remand for an orthopedic examination to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, specifically whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability and/or bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions.