Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being returned to the RO for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disability and temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for convalescence following left shoulder rotator cuff repair surgery were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the current tinnitus disability is not related to service.,An earlier effective date of December 27, 2007, was granted for the left knee disability as the Veteran filed his initial claim on this date.

The Veteran's appeal has been returned for further review. His right knee osteoarthritis with retropatellar pain syndrome and instability are being remanded, as is his claim for left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to in-service marching, standing, and loading/unloading duties.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, and the lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and degenerative disk disease of L5-S1.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, scar on the right knee, and scars on the umbilicus are all rated based on their current manifestations.,A TDIU is being remanded as additional evidence may be relevant to this issue.

The Veteran's low back disorder and hypertension are granted service connection, while his foot dermatophytosis is reopened but denied. The left knee condition is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on the grounds that he is not entitled to a rating in excess of his protected 20 percent for left knee instability, and he does not meet criteria for higher ratings for other conditions. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's left knee instability and arthritis with painful limitation of motion are granted. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C due to potential stressor verification, psychiatric examination, and VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent outside a period of convalescence.,Service connection for left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are both remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional clarification and evidence, including a VA examination to address the etiology of his symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee instability and eosinophilic esophagitis have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent for the knee disabilities, but a 30 percent rating has been assigned for eosinophilic esophagitis. The decision is based on current symptomatology and medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with Persistent Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Cannabis Use Disorder is rated at 70 percent effective July 11, 2019. A TDIU is granted. The rating for Right Knee Tendonitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee ligamentous injury with DJD was denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for other impairment of the left knee is granted effective July 31, 2006. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Board denied claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for new examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine strain are not fully addressed.