Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left knee arthritis, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD have been dismissed. The claim for special monthly pension (SMP) has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and chronic bone density issues. The Veteran's esophagitis with irritable bowel syndrome is also being examined again due to his reported increase in severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further evidentiary development, including an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right hip disorder and his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for hypertension, an acquired mental health condition, and a right knee condition due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for status post hysterectomy with uterovaginal prolapse was denied. The TDIU claim from February 12, 2014 to April 30, 2014 is dismissed due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating. For the period since May 1, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold for TDIU and she was granted TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The claim for a right shoulder disability is pending.,Service connection was not granted for any of the disabilities on appeal.

The Veteran's left eye disability is not related to service, and hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is attributed to a 2011 electrocution incident.,Hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is not related to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The highest rating possible for the right knee condition is 60 percent.,Service connection for a left hip disability and/or left knee disability are remanded as they may be secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve and knee disabilities were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a total rating for his right knee replacement effective February 14, 2019.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeal was also denied for TDIU due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate September 2017 VA examination and for securing outstanding treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The remaining issues on appeal have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA treatment records and the need for a new examination. The Veteran's left knee arthritis claim will be reconsidered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, respiratory condition, and high blood pressure.

The Veteran is granted annual VA clothing allowances for the year 2017 due to use of his bilateral knee braces, which tend to wear out his pants.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been granted. The rating assigned is 10%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg disability with sciatica, and left eye disability due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran will be afforded new VA examinations to address these issues.