Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for GERD, Depression, Bilateral Knee Disorder, and Bilateral Hip Disorder were denied. The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a menstrual disorder was granted. Service connection for fatigue, tendinitis, and bilateral thigh disorder was denied.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and awarded a 10% disability rating effective August 9, 2016. The claims for low back disability, neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, fibromyalgia, and acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations, compliance with the representative's request for a copy of his file, and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and knee conditions. The decision does not specify an effective date or rating assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran has also had his previously denied claims of service connection for knee disorders reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination report.

The Board has denied reopening of the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of various conditions, including left elbow, middle finger, knee, hearing loss, tinnitus, pulmonary disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee instability and patellofemoral syndrome are dismissed. The Board has also remanded the cases for further development, including psychiatric and orthopedic evaluations.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not related to service and was noted on pre-induction examination prior to service.,There is no evidence of a current left shoulder or right shoulder disability, arthritis of the upper extremities, or left knee disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's current disabilities are not linked to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his self-employment and the need for updated VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with compression fracture, left knee strain, tinnitus, residuals of surgical scar, right lower abdomen, and residuals of surgical scar, right perineum.

The Veteran is seeking an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral knee strain, which is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 5260. The April 2012 VA examination found no objective clinical evidence of pain on motion but noted constant dull pain from the Veteran.,The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's bilateral knee strain due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability and tinnitus are granted as secondary to service-connected right knee disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's total left knee replacement was more likely than not caused by his service-connected right knee disability, and that his tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the low back, left knee, and left ankle due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned to the Board for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA orthopedic examination to address the current severity of the Veteran's right foot disability and to assess the nature and etiology of his left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision also reopened the claim of service connection for the right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and right knee disabilities due to potential issues with the examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, low back disability, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder are all granted with initial ratings.,Specifically, the Veteran is now rated at 40% for his service-connected radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities effective March 15, 2018. His service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee is also rated at 20% effective March 15, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disabilities since March 15, 2006 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on either limited extension or instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis of the right knee, hypertension, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete medical records and lack of nexus opinions.