Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's status post left knee replacement is at least as likely as not related to a fall he suffered in service in 1961, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heel spurs, knee conditions, and sleep disorder may have begun during service. However, due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinions, additional medical opinions are needed to address this issue.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine, right hip, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disorders as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's respiratory disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA examinations and treatment records support the current non-compensable disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to produce unemployability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has remanded the cases of Right Knee Condition, Cervical Spine Condition, and Lumbar Spine Condition for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate development of records from Hugo V. Mendoza Soldier and Family Care Center.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 31, 2013, for the reinstatement of VA disability benefits. The decision is based on the fact that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran initiated his claim within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Board found the Veteran's March 2013 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) untimely and denied his claims for service connection. The effective date for sleep apnea was set at March 4, 2013.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a deviated nasal septum, limitation of motion in the ring or little finger, and limitation of motion of the right leg as these conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, right knee, bilateral shin splints, left ankle, and right ankle conditions. The denial is based on a lack of current diagnoses or persistent/recurring symptoms.,Service connection was also denied for a low back condition and right leg sciatica secondary to the low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities due to lack of current disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee arthritis is remanded as there is evidence of current disability, in-service injury, and plausible indication that they are related.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD aggravated by PTSD and denied service connection for IBS, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and determining whether a temporary total rating is warranted due to convalescence following surgery. The Veteran's right knee disability includes osteoarthritis with painful motion and a meniscal tear.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and sarcoidosis due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records do not show any in-service injuries or illnesses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent effective March 14, 2019. He also received separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder DJD and rotator cuff tendonitis are related to service or aggravated by her service-connected left knee injury, leading to a grant of service connection. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee injury is remanded.