Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed for the issues of service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, increased disability ratings for PTSD, radiculopathy of the left hip, and knee disabilities, as well as an increased disability rating for restrictive airway disease with chronic cough. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for frostbite was granted. The claims for left shoulder, lower back, and left knee disabilities were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for earlier effective dates and granted a separate rating of 20 percent for left knee locking. The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for left knee subluxation and degenerative joint disease did not comply with previous remand instructions, and TDIU was not properly addressed. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to TBI, patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, sleep apnea, bulging disc, and lumbar strain have been reopened but remain denied. The cases are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection is granted for a back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, depression, and headaches secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.,An effective date prior to July 6, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and provide additional medical records in order to properly adjudicate his claims of service connection for a seizure disorder and a rating increase for his knee condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and several other musculoskeletal issues. The decision also includes remands for tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The appeals are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of updated VA treatment records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU. The right knee issues are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to procedural defects and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his leg length discrepancy, hip bursitis, knee disability, and foot disorder. The VA must obtain additional records and provide a supplemental opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left knee and left knee instability are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that these conditions do not warrant higher ratings based on current evidence.

An effective date of October 16, 2003 is granted for service connection for a right knee disability.,An earlier effective date for non-cancerous fatty tumors with residual scars is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the need for further verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The Veteran should be provided with an addendum opinion regarding his knee condition, another VA examination and opinions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee condition, lumbar back condition, and hip condition. The case is remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral knee strain may be related to his service-connected disabilities, but needs further clarification on whether it is aggravated by these conditions. The case is being sent back for a supplemental opinion.