Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is rated at 30 percent from September 1, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not show residuals that warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran seeks a higher evaluation for his service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has granted entitlement to a separate evaluation for left leg radiculopathy as a neurologic manifestation of the service-connected spondylosis.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for a disorder of the third nail of the left hand and a right knee disorder, both secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether the evidence is sufficient to grant these claims.,Further development is needed to determine if there are any new and material pieces of evidence that could support the reopening of the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one is needed for the Veteran's right knee disability.

The appeals for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and bilateral shin splints disabilities are dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's knee braces, back brace, and medications caused damage to his clothing. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his claimed back and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence, including treatment records from VA facilities and SSA records. He also needs to undergo further examinations for his neck, low back, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale for an opinion regarding whether the right knee condition is aggravated by the service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, shoulder, knee conditions are not related to his military service and remands these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for left knee conditions is denied, with some issues remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle conditions, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed left and right ankle conditions or bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability requires further examination and evaluation to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disabilities, including instability, as well as the claim for TDIU due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide medical records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development and consideration by the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities and Gulf War illness. The cervical spine disability is linked to an in-service injury, while the right and left knee disabilities are not considered incurred due to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran’s bilateral pes planus does not warrant a compensable rating as her symptoms are relieved by orthotic inserts.

The Board has denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the Veteran does not have a current disability related to such during the pendency of his claim.