Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,Effective July 14, 2012, the Veteran was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, reflux esophagitis, lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right foot plantar fasciitis, limitation of right knee flexion, limitation of right knee extension, and right knee scars. The effective dates for these conditions have not been changed.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for neck condition and right knee disability, leading to the dismissal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder and its secondary effects on other joints and tremors.

The Board has set aside its previous decision denying SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, and has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that he was not precluded from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 31, 2006.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep disorder, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability have not been found to be related to his active duty service.,Service connection for these conditions has therefore been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied increased ratings for right knee traumatic arthritis and left knee instability, but granted a separate rating of 10 percent for left knee painful motion.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain is granted, subject to the rules and regulations governing the payment of VA monetary benefits. The claims for service connection for various conditions are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and leg conditions, as well as a cervical spine condition. The cases are remanded for further development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) are rated at 10 percent disabling. The RO has remanded the claims for additional development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's back disability was granted an initial 10% evaluation prior to October 19, 2017 and a 40% evaluation thereafter. The right knee and left knee disabilities were each granted a 10% evaluation for the entire appeal period. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, Gilbert's syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records. The Veteran is advised to provide any relevant medical records from the VA Medical Center in San Juan.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his left knee disability. The Veteran is asked to provide private medical records and VA will seek them.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders should be remanded to allow for further review of his medical records.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records from prior to February 2013 and April 2018, as well as any SSA disability records and Walter Reed Army Medical Center records related to his heart failure. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination for his hypertension claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for cervical spine strain from January 1, 2011 to June 5, 2018, but not higher. For the remainder of the period, the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left hip condition, right hip condition, left shoulder condition, left ankle condition, bilateral hip conditions, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), duodenal ulcer with esophagitis, and bronchial asthma are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and low back disorders due to insufficient medical opinions in the August 2013 VA examination reports. The cases are now pending for further evaluation.