Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical records and need for additional opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective September 28, 2012. The other issues are not granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and other issues due to incomplete records and inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence and undergo further examinations.

The Veteran's left knee strain results in ongoing pain and swelling, with flexion limited to 120 degrees. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain is denied. Service connection for right ankle disability (right ankle sprain) and left foot disability (left foot sprain) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee disabilities prior to specific dates, as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5260 for limitation of flexion. The most severe range of motion found was 70 degrees of flexion and full extension to zero degrees.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective November 9, 2012. The Board also remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, torn meniscus of the right knee and scars of the right knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and instability, as well as right elbow osteoarthritis (major), were denied. The RO found that the Veteran’s conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for a nasal disability and remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a knee/knees condition secondary to a hip condition because no new and material evidence was submitted, and the existing evidence does not establish a causal link between the conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney condition due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The lower back, right knee, and left knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, left knee condition, and back condition are all subject to review.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tuberculosis residuals. The Veteran's claim for service connection related to mad cow disease exposure was not addressed as it is not part of the appeal.,A new VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran has active tuberculosis based on his STRs showing night sweats since 1979.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been reopened. The claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his requests for withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability and left knee disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Veteran's kidney disease and left knee disability are denied as service connection is not established.,A separate rating of 20 percent for left knee disability is granted, but a higher rating than 10 percent under the appropriate diagnostic codes remains denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD) is remanded due to potential nexus with in-service treatment records.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is also remanded as it may be related to service-connected PTSD.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded as the Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for right knee baker's cyst.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.