Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service. Additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a new opinion on the etiology of the condition, is required.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to service connection, with the exception of a right eye condition which had no effective date assigned. The denial is based on lack of evidence linking any current conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee impairment is secondary to his service-connected right knee condition and grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease was denied, but his claim for unspecified depressive disorder with opioid use disorder in remission was granted and effective from January 5, 2011. The decision is mixed as it includes both a grant of service connection and denial of another issue.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted secondary to his service-connected back and ankle disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neurological disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, left knee arthritis, right hip arthritis, and left hip arthritis. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and progression.

The Veteran's chronic knee strain, patella enthesopathy of the right knee is granted a separate compensable rating. The Veteran's chronic knee strain, patella enthesopathy of the left knee and limitation of extension of both knees are denied.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the year 2017 is granted due to his service-connected left knee meniscal tear, right knee strain, and limitation of motion. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran’s use of bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran has a left and right knee condition, but remands for further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and a low back disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's right knee replacement rating was reduced from 60% to 30%, effective March 1, 2016. The reduction is being remanded due to the lack of a proper VA examination and because the Veteran testified that his condition has not improved since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher rating.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right shoulder impingement, lumbosacral strain, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have all been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has also been remanded as the VA examination was found invalid.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) is being remanded.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and low back conditions based on direct evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right knee disability, hypertension, asthma, sleep apnea, bilateral foot fungus, and facial skin rash. The claims are being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and inguinal hernia as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology or severity. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected knee injuries have made him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since September 10, 2009. The claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's claims are related to his military service and various disabilities.