Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right hip was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and no link to service.,Service connection was also denied for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, low back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for depression and anxiety, right knee disability, right ankle disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) is granted. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional examinations or medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder due to new evidence submitted within a year of the May 2014 rating decision. The remaining issues—service connection for upper respiratory tract disorder (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis) and obstructive sleep apnea—are remanded as additional development is needed regarding missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back, bilateral hip, and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a left foot disability, glaucoma, and a left knee disability. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal disability, headaches (claimed as head trauma), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination for the right knee and the need to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his service, specifically standing and walking on asphalt as an Air Force security guard.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to lack of compliance with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and incomplete private audiology test results.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left great toe, and left foot disabilities. The Veteran also had his claim for tinnitus and bilateral tinea pedis denied. Service connection was not granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,There is no clear indication of a current disability in any of the conditions listed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's lower left extremity amputation by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a lumbar strain, left ankle degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with degenerative joint disease, and hemorrhoids, caused wear and tear to his clothing. The Board granted clothing allowances for these conditions in calendar year 2016.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right knee disability and trigeminal nerve injury were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders have been remanded due to insufficient evidence in the previous decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for being housebound prior to February 4, 2013 is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a single permanent disability rated at 100% or meet the criteria of being permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee replacements, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right forefoot arthritis, rendered him unemployable during the appeal period. The Board granted TDIU benefits.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 27, 2016 for SMC based on aid and attendance. The § 1151 claim is remanded due to deficiencies in the November 2017 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and lateral meniscus tear.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the condition originated in-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim.