Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability prior to December 20, 2017 was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee on and after December 20, 2017 is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right middle finger, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate notice of evidence needed to substantiate his claims, missing informed consent documents, and need for VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for depression with anxiety, and has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and a disability of multiple joints, including hands, shoulders, knees, hips, and fingers. The Veteran's representative raised the theory that his joint disabilities are part of a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lack of VA examination records, as well as potential service connection based on overuse from boxing training and repetitive motions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding her right knee disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, and the relationship between her service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The claim for OSA is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus. However, the claim for a left knee disorder remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral knee disability have been reopened, but the issues of lung cancer due to asbestos exposure are denied.,The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a respiratory condition is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his bilateral plantar fasciitis, tension headaches, left knee strain, and right knee strain are dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his GERD is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for alopecia areata and has remanded his right knee disability claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show additional limitation of motion beyond what is already reflected in the current 10 percent rating.

The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD is remanded. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee disability is also remanded.

Prior to October 18, 2011, the Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent.,Effective October 18, 2011, a rating of 100 percent for left knee meniscus status post multiple surgeries is granted.,Effective October 18, 2012, a rating of 30 percent for left knee meniscus status post multiple surgeries is granted.

The Board has granted a clothing allowance for the left wrist splint used to treat service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome. The right wrist splint, bilateral knee braces, and menthol/methyl salicylate topical medication are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's bilateral above the knee amputations were due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault by VA, including but not limited to the use of sequential compression devices (pressure boots).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, hip, knee, neck, and shoulder disabilities due to new evidence submitted. However, these claims are still remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine if there is a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's below the knee amputation was caused by negligent care from VA medical providers, resulting in additional disability. The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have been incurred during service.,His unspecified depressive disorder is determined to be secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not related to service.,Back, neck, left knee, and right knee disorders are all denied as not related to service.,Right eye and left eye disorders are also denied as not related to service.,Diabetes mellitus is denied as not related to service.,Peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities and lower extremities are both denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's left leg/knee disability is rated at a 10 percent level, which he requested on appeal. The decision covers the entire appeal period.