Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to additional evidence submitted after the initial decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee tendinitis, right knee tendinitis, and right ankle tendinitis and strain due to lack of response regarding VA treatment records and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's total left and right knee arthroplasties are related to his military service.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral arm/shoulder disability, low back disability, left knee disability, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, bilateral eye disability (claimed as myopia), left ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability or a causal relationship to military service.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities, including minimal osteophytes of the left patella and probable medial meniscus tear, are being remanded for further examination to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied. The Board found that his depression did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not cause deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee DJD. The left knee disability claim is remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for a left knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer, right knee disability, and heart disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The right ankle and knee disabilities are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issues on appeal have become moot.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for right-forearm disorder is dismissed.,Service connection was denied for thoracolumbar spine disorder, right-knee disorder, right-hand disorder, left-hand disorder, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for left knee pain, right knee pain, and a left ankle disability have been granted.,The claim of bilateral eye disability (claimed as 'eye burn') is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee instability is now rated at 20 percent, effective October 21, 2016. The right and left knee DJD remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, knee disabilities, skin condition, and PTSD have all been granted service connection. The left bicep disability has been rated at 10 percent.