Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for left fifth finger disability, back disability, pes planus, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. However, these claims are being remanded as further medical examination is needed.,The Veteran's left wrist osteoarthritis is related to an injury and treatment in active service.

The Veteran's skin disorder, shoulder, hip, and knee disorders are remanded for further examination. The Veteran's anxiety/PTSD/alcohol use disorder is also remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right wrist condition, back injury, ankle condition, knee conditions, and Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and review due to incomplete records and unclear rationale in some opinions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for painful flexion and instability, with a separate rating of 10 percent for limited extension. A total rating based on individual unemployability has been granted since June 20, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a left knee disability, finding that these conditions were incurred in and due to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion to address the nature and severity of her left knee diagnoses and whether it is at least as likely as not that her left knee disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and/or right knee disorder.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting additional information about the Veteran's employment history. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, rating increase for lumbar degenerative disc disease with arthritis, and TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her status post total left-knee replacement was dismissed. The effective date for the assignment of a 60 percent disability evaluation is set at May 13, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, left knee disorder, and shoulder disorders due to further medical inquiry.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are related to his service, and thus grants service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's appeal due to scheduling issues and lack of examination. The appeals for compensation, increased rating for COPD, and right knee disability are all on hold until further action is taken.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a left knee disorder as requested by the Veteran.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of upper back and right knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for PTSD prior to August 9, 2013, have been remanded by the Board. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or within a presumptive period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was already granted in a July 2019 rating decision, effective June 12, 2019. The appeal is dismissed as the issue has been resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.