Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has denied increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of motion in flexion, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for limitation of extension of the right knee and separate 20 percent ratings for meniscal tears in both knees. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of left knee disorder, hearing loss, and sleep apnea for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral knee disorder and a bilateral foot disorder due to incomplete medical records. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to outstanding records and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to internal inconsistencies in previous opinions and lack of verification of mustard gas exposure. The claims are also remanded for a TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and reopening of previously denied claims. The main reasons are that new medical records need to be obtained and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's GERD and low back disability were granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, while the knee and hip disabilities were denied higher ratings. The GERD was rated at 30 percent due to persistent symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee status post total knee replacement, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and right knee patellar subluxation were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, and the effective date prior to January 13, 2011, for service connection of major depressive disorder, have been dismissed. Appeals regarding CUE in January 2012 rating decisions granting service connection for various disabilities were also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his scars, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any wrist or knee disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a sleep disorder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for lower back and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure. The left knee disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of left total knee arthroplasty, low back pain status post L5 laminectomy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy is also remanded. The rating for service-connected total right knee replacement remains remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders because there was no evidence showing a chronic condition in service or post-service treatment records. The new evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during or related to his military service.,For the TTR claim, the Board found that service connection had not been established for the left knee disorder, thus denying the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disability (to include anxiety and PTSD).,There was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that resulted in the current conditions.