Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder bursitis, right hip bursitis, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. However, the effective date for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of January 30, 2007, but not earlier, for service connection for a right knee disability has been granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's claims including service connection for psychiatric disabilities and rating for his knees.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted. The left knee disability and right knee disability are all granted, but the increased ratings for both knees prior to specific dates are denied.

The Veteran's right knee condition with traumatic arthritis is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant a more severe evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee DJD and left knee meniscectomy were denied as the evidence did not show that his disabilities warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraine headaches, and vertigo are remanded due to incomplete records. The Veteran is asked to provide additional private treatment records related to his disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Her initial rating for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Hypertrophic Gastritis, as well as her ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis at T12-L1 and left leg radiculopathy were all granted. The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood received a 70 percent rating, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the issues of propriety of reduction in rating of rheumatoid arthritis, entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee traumatic arthritis, and service connection for diabetes mellitus due to procedural errors and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding the appellant's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA for July and August 1977. The VA will need to verify these dates and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum to a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for CAD and left knee condition due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right knee arthritis and lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease were denied, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a right ankle fracture has been reopened, and the Board has remanded it. The claims for higher initial disability ratings for spur formation of the lumbar spine, left knee injury, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical opinions and obtaining outstanding VA medical records. The Veteran's appeal is related to his service connection claim for aching joints.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right knee strains due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to verify in-service stressors and obtain VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral wrist sprains, and knee conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.,There is no credible medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to service.