Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to incomplete medical records, lack of nexus opinions addressing all relevant issues, and need for additional examinations. The appeals will be addressed after obtaining necessary records and conducting further evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees are being remanded due to new evidence not previously considered.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for postoperative residuals of a total right knee replacement was denied. A compensable rating (60%) was granted since July 6, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected postoperative residuals of tenorrhaphy and neurorrhaphy of the right hand prior to October 26, 2010, and in excess of 10% thereafter was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to incomplete examination reports, lack of functional loss assessment, and failure to address instability of the right knee.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral foot condition (to include pes planus, plantar fasciitis and arthritis), toe condition, hip condition, knee condition, ankle condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, BUE peripheral neuropathy, BLE peripheral neuropathy, sinus condition, and gout were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is related to his period of service.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, bilateral orchitis with testosterone deficiency, left hip disorder, and IBS have been dismissed.,Claims for neck disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder were reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee and lower leg disabilities due to the need for additional examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee condition, and increased rating for right tibia stress fracture have been denied due to lack of credible in-service stressor events, no evidence of arthritis within the presumptive period, and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for partial amputation of the left finger is denied due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken left clavicle or collar bone is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken left leg is denied without sufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken right hip is denied due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken right knee is denied based on lack of evidence.,The Veteran's claim for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) is granted, with the condition believed to have begun during service and aggravated by other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in April 2018, and a new examination is needed to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The examiner is asked to reconcile these discrepancies and determine if the current condition is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's left knee PFS and right hip DJD were granted, with a rating of 40 percent for the right hip DJD.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, GERD, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran's arthritis is remanded for further review. TDIU has also been raised.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for his knee brace is granted due to the evidence showing that the brace causes wear and tear to his clothing, despite its lifespan exceeding three years.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claims for increased ratings were also dismissed as they are moot.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for pulmonary tuberculosis with secondary collapse of the left lower lobe was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to additional development being needed, including obtaining outstanding VA records and scheduling a new examination.