Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right lower leg disorder, left lower leg disorder, and left knee disorder due to incomplete development of medical records from Naval Branch Health Clinic, Naval Base Coronado.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU for the rating period since September 1, 2013.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back disorder. The appeal for an increased rating of left knee degenerative joint disease was withdrawn.

The Board has granted temporary and permanent disability ratings for the Veteran's knee conditions, but has also remanded several issues including service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee DJD and post-operative residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, finding that these conditions are of service origin.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of right and left knee conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee disorders are denied. Service connection for anxiety disorder is granted with a 50% rating effective the date of claim filing, but denied for higher ratings after August 6, 2019.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.,Service connection was denied for low back and right knee disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran reported pain but no functional impairment or limitation in these areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis of the Veteran's lay statements regarding knee injuries during basic training. A VA examination is needed to determine if any identified bilateral knee disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, gynecomastia, and left little finger disability have been granted service connection. The RO increased the rating for bilateral pes planus to 10 percent in July 2018. However, his right knee strain, left knee strain, and residuals of MRSA infection remain at noncompensable ratings. These issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion. The rating for the right knee cartilage dislocation is granted, but ratings for other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as her claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to vertigo, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and remanded his claims for service connection for other conditions due to lack of timely NODs, but found that the July 2015 rating decision denying back condition and temporary total disability was final. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee and hip disorders due to discrepancies in the dates of qualifying service. The AOJ must clarify these dates, identify any additional periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA, and afford the Veteran another etiological opinion if necessary.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach tumor and remanded his claims for service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip and left knee disorders due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The evaluation of residuals of a right third metacarpal fracture is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation by a VA examiner.