Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for non-specific urethritis is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his auditory thresholds do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,New and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The matter will be remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for back disability is remanded due to the combat presumption established by his participation in naval combat operations.,The Veteran's claim for right knee disability is remanded due to the combat presumption established by his participation in naval combat operations.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded as there was no diagnosis of hypertension at entry into service and the issue involves presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100 percent for hypothyroidism is granted, and he is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the claims are still pending as they were remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to additional evidence of his service-connected disabilities, including back, left knee, and bilateral hip conditions. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee instability and limitation of motion due to insufficient reasons provided in previous decisions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The left knee and bilateral hearing loss disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there is not a direct connection between the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and his military service, as the condition was first noted many years after separation. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee replacement, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have impacted his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has remanded several issues for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right wrist, left wrist, right hip, right knee, and right leg disabilities, as well as a left foot hammer toe. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions began during or were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service connected right knee and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records. His claim for an initial compensable disability rating for Hepatitis B is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for convalescence after a left knee revision surgery was denied as the evidence did not show he required extended convalescence beyond September 30, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and opinion due to insufficient information on whether the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and back disorders are aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability. The hepatitis C case also requires additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest in service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise etiologically related to any disease, injury, or event that occurred during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and left knee disabilities due to potential service connection issues, including secondary to his service-connected right knee and bilateral foot conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to the assigned ratings for various conditions have been denied. The claims are remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a spine disability, increased ratings for right knee and left ankle disabilities, and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA examinations and private treatment records as needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee meniscal disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding functional impairment during flare-ups and repetitive use over time.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, particularly related to diagnostic imaging of the Veteran's left knee.