Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and a higher initial rating for the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include elbow, knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disorders related to Gulf War environmental hazards.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition, finding it at least as likely as not related to active service and secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee synovitis is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of his claims for right knee disability and dermatophytosis of the toenails, as he withdrew these issues during a hearing. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's disability picture did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, right and left ankle, left elbow, right elbow, cervical spine, thoracic spine, left wrist, right wrist, left hip, right hip, right knee, left knee, and chronic bronchitis disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches. The reasons provided include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to November 19, 2013 for service connection for a left knee disability was denied. The Board found no CUE in the August 1986 rating decision and determined that there is no basis for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating left and right knee instability, finding that additional development is needed. The current ratings for these conditions are 20 percent each.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, back disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The evidence submitted since the prior final denial was not considered new and material.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and ratings, due to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 3, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain has been denied. The case is also remanded for further consideration regarding the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that neither a respiratory nor cardiovascular disease was incurred in or aggravated by service or causally related to service-connected disorders. The Veteran's PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left knee, left foot, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, bilateral hallux valgus, and insomnia are remanded due to the need for further development. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it involves issues of direct service connection and potential secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The propriety of reducing her left knee disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective February 1, 2017, will also be reconsidered.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and allergies due to insufficient opinions in the VA examination reports. Additional evidence is needed.