Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left knee disability results in painful motion and is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran’s back sprain does not result in any functional impairment that warrants a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been shown to have painful limited flexion, painful limited extension, and dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint. The current evaluations for limitation of flexion and extension are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current right knee condition to his service-connected left knee disability or to any other service event. The examiner concluded that the Veteran’s right knee injury was not related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in his prior VA examinations. The Veteran should be afforded new VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and hypertension have been denied.,However, the claim for service connection of a skin condition (pseudofolliculitis barbae) has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that his current condition is not related to service and was aggravated by a pre-existing injury. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to parachute landings in service.

Service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees has been restored, and a compensable rating is granted. The Veteran's respiratory disorder claim and ratings for both knees are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between the Veteran’s current bilateral knee disorder and his military service, nor was there sufficient evidence to find that he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability ratings due to incomplete or inadequate examinations and the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for neck pain, back pain and residuals of back surgery, left knee pain, and right knee pain. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for his left knee disabilities are remanded. The low back disability claim is also remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, low back disorder, right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral knee disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, necessitating a TDIU determination. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and headaches have been denied due to the lack of current diagnoses. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of these conditions at any time during the pendency of the appeal.,For his bilateral knee disability, the Veteran has not provided sufficient medical evidence to establish a clear and unmistakable pre-existing condition prior to service or an in-service aggravation. The VA examination was inadequate as it did not evaluate both knees.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, and trouble seeing disabilities. The issue of bilateral foot disability is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for left knee disability due to lack of nexus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of flare-ups.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms cause moderate occupational and social impairment, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with hemochromatosis, which may be related to his service-connected liver injury. Additional medical records are needed to determine if this condition is service connected.