Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial ratings assigned for various service-connected disabilities, including Traumatic Brain Injury, Cervical Spine Disability, Left Shoulder Disability, Right Shoulder Disability, Lumbar Spine Disability, and others.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinion regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and IBS have been denied. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral leg disorder was not incurred in service and denied.

The Veteran's claim of weight gain is denied as it does not constitute a disease or injury for which service connection may be established.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s left knee osteoarthritis and chronic right knee strain have been rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent is not warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder joint sprain, status post acromion open reduction and internal fixation has been rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating given the current clinical findings.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss has been rated at noncompensable (0%). The Board finds no basis for an increased rating based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder residual surgical scar and left side of hip residual surgical scars have both been rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating given the current clinical findings.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s restless leg syndrome has not been evaluated by VA as it is not service-connected.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left hip arthritis, right hip disability, and head injury have all been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions may be related to his service-connected left hip arthritis. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are directly related to his active duty service or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee instability and TDIU due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against its onset during active duty or being related to an in-service injury.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with both conditions found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left, right knee conditions and a low back condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral eye disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for bilateral hearing loss and left eye disability. The initial rating of PTSD prior to April 27, 2017, is granted at a 70% level. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, right ankle, left hip, low back strain, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and headaches conditions as they may be related to his service-connected flat feet condition.,For the heart condition claim, a new VA examination is required due to conflicting in-service medical records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and granted service connection. The left knee disability issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran during his hearing.,Additional development is required for the following issues: whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of a neck injury, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and service-connected sinusitis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), initial rating higher than 10 percent for right shoulder strain and rotator cuff tendonitis, initial rating higher than 10 percent for instability of the left knee, and initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain with meniscus repair surgery.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain with arthritis and a bilateral knee disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses of DJD in both knees were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher initial rating for his left knee condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee injury are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, sleep disorder, and hypertension have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right elbow disability was denied. The RO granted an increased initial 60 percent evaluation for the Veteran’s service-connected residuals of a right arm injury, rated as residuals of fractures to the right elbow, effective July 6, 2017.