Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected right thumb laceration with sensory nerve injury is granted. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent and remains unchanged.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at the maximum allowable under applicable criteria, and he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to January 23, 2018 for the increased 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and a left knee strain.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy of the lower extremities due to internal inconsistencies in the Veteran's testimony regarding when her disabilities began.,The issue of service connection for a respiratory condition (asthma) remains pending as further development is needed.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for left knee instability effective January 2, 2013. The application to reopen the claim for service connection for right knee disability is remanded due to new and material evidence being received. Other claims are also remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip, knee, and right ankle conditions have not been established. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current disability for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and symptomatic semilunar cartilage after removal, is rated at 60 percent from March 1, 2019. The residuals of total knee replacement are also rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's chronic headaches have been granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since active service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, has been denied as there is no evidence it was incurred during or within one year after the Veteran's completion of active service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability, but finds that there is no current evidence of a right knee disability. The Veteran's medical records do not reflect demonstration of a right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination reports, and a new VA examination is required to determine the current level of severity of the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to unclear evidence regarding his lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, as well as incomplete information about his employment status.

The claim for service connection of amputation of right toes due to gangrene and left knee arthritis is granted. The claims for PTSD, calluses on the right foot, migraine headaches, TDIU, SMC at housebound rate, and SMC at aid and attendance rate are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, right heel, and right ankle disabilities, as well as headaches, GERD, and IBS. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disability and traumatic brain injury were denied. The case was remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his PTSD and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and because of the inextricability with the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral knees, and therefore service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The left knee arthritis claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for patellofemoral arthrosis of the right knee, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during active duty training. Service connection for a disability of the left hand was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of left ring finger injury, and bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are denied. The Veteran's claim for bilateral shin splints is granted.