Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is remanded due to uncertainty regarding the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employability. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if her conditions prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 26, 2016 and granted a 20 percent rating effective from that date. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right elbow, and back disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that would support the claim of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service, but the preponderance of evidence does not support a nexus between his hypertension and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a prior decision and the need for an updated VA examination.

The reduction of the disability rating for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee from 10% to noncompensable (0%) was not proper and the appeal is granted. A rating in excess of 10% for a left knee disability is denied. The TDIU claim has been raised by the record and claimed as due to the Veteran’s service-connected knee disability during the pendency of this appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back condition is granted. The Board has remanded several issues related to his knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability.

The appeal for service connection of a bilateral knee condition and sinus condition is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective December 1, 2016.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 1, 2016. Her right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lung, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied service connection. The Veteran was granted a 50% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 13, 2013, but his claim for an increased rating of the same condition from that date forward is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's surviving spouse's claim for special monthly compensation based on being housebound or needing regular aid and attendance due to her physical limitations, as she was able to drive, shop, and perform daily tasks without assistance.

The Board dismissed all the claims due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities are granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension is denied, and the issue of secondary service connection for a right elbow disability due to his right shoulder disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for residuals of an anthrax vaccine is also remanded.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the 2017 calendar year due to his service-connected right knee disability, as his rigid brace causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and an effective date prior to May 31, 2011 for sciatica of the left lower extremity. The reduction in rating for DDD of the lumbar spine from 20% to 10% was granted. Claims for higher ratings for various knee disabilities are also addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right knee was denied as there is no evidence showing limitation of motion or other impairment warranting an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is secondary to his service-connected right knee impairment. The VA examiner did not address all relevant conditions during service and their relationship to current osteoarthritis.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether the right knee osteoarthritis is caused by or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability, and therefore remands the case for further examination.