Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the back, knees, hands, and neck as secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and bilateral first cuneiform metatarsal joint arthritis due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection, earlier effective dates, and TDIU/Dependent’s Educational Assistance eligibility must be remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee conditions and scars of the right knee are being remanded due to incomplete examination reports. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and another remand is necessary for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided that severance of service connection for instability of the left knee was proper. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for left TKA is remanded due to lack of a statement of the case.

The Board has determined that more information is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left ankle, low back, and left knee disabilities. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right great toe and right knee. However, the issues of service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD, hypertension, and ED as secondary to hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's inguinal hernia was not rated compensably prior to November 14, 2014. A rating of at least 10% is granted for the hernia as of that date. The claims for residuals of right ankle fracture, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to support his claims. The issues of service connection remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to inadequate development, including a need for additional VA examinations.

The claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, colon cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including insomnia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD) have been denied.,New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including insomnia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD), but it remains denied.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his left shoulder condition and right total knee replacement.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities as secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability. For the rating period from August 28, 2012, a disability rating of 20 percent for the right ankle disability is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and no continuity of symptoms. The claim for left knee condition was reopened, but the Board found that there is not enough evidence to establish a causal relationship between the current condition and in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from the Miami VA Medical Center and SPRs. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Board has remanded the claims due to errors in obtaining records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's right shoulder, back, and bilateral knee disabilities need further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings, and TDIU due to inaccuracies in the medical records provided by the Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral joint pain of the knees and ankles, but remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence. The claims are now pending again.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right hip, left knee, or upper extremity disorder during the appeal period.,As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.