Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee synovitis with status post arthroscopic synovectomy with meniscectomy is granted as service connected, with the onset likely during or shortly after his active duty service in July 1982.

The Veteran is granted annual clothing allowances for a back brace and left knee brace used due to service-connected disabilities, but the right knee brace is denied as there is no current service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, sinus condition, and skin condition are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeals to reopen service connection for various conditions and denied claims of service connection due to lack of notification from the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the appeal is granted to this extent only. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee disabilities, including arthritis and arthroplasties. The remand requires obtaining additional personnel records and a medical opinion addressing potential pre-existing conditions and aggravation by military duties.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including pain and related conditions, may be related to his service-connected right ankle strain. The lumbar spine and PTSD disabilities are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete STRs and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to ambiguity in determining whether the Veteran suffered additional disability to his knees and legs during participation in a VA CWT program, and if so, whether such disability was caused by the program. The case is being sent back for further development with an advisory opinion from an independent medical expert.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a disability manifesting as painful joints are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination of the Veteran's right knee and consideration of his service-connected disabilities in determining if he requires aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left wrist and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The VA will provide the Veteran with additional records, conduct examinations, and determine if his conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, back, and neck conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by her service-connected radiculopathy.

The Veteran's unspecified joint pain other than in the back, hips, knees, and feet is not shown to have been present during service or related to service.,The Veteran’s refractive error is not a disability for VA purposes. None of the remaining diagnosed left eye disorders were shown to have manifested during service or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the etiology of identified additional disabilities resulting from the Veteran's left hip replacement and accompanying leg length discrepancy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left knee disability, but has found that additional development is necessary due to lack of definitive in-service evidence. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear and scar are being remanded for further evaluation as the current rating does not reflect the severity of his symptoms.