Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating of PTSD was granted, and she is now receiving a 70% disability rating. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for TBI due to lack of current disability. The Board remanded the issues regarding left knee and right foot disabilities, as there is no clear evidence that they are related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss for further examination and opinion as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple conditions, including fibromyalgia (claimed as multiple joint aches), memory loss, migraines, and lumbar spine disability are granted. The remaining issues on appeal remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to new and additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and examination reports. The Veteran will be asked to provide details about his employment positions and undergo another VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative changes, lumbar hypertrophic osteoarthritis, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, SMC for loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are also remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and earlier effective date for SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder sprain is rated at 20 percent, effective from November 1, 2013. The Veteran's left hip strain and left knee sprain are both rated at 10 percent, effective from November 1, 2013. A separate 10 percent rating for partial removal of the left meniscus is granted, effective from November 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and updated medical history.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of case based on the results of his recent VA examination, and because the current disability rating does not meet the threshold criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left upper extremity neurological disorder, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee arthritis prior to April 20, 2010, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis from April 20, 2010 through October 30, 2016; in excess of 10 percent from February 1, 2017 through May 21, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent from July 1, 2018 have all been dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, neurogenic erectile dysfunction, and right knee disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran will need to undergo new examinations and obtain certain records.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection and a compensable evaluation for her spondylosis of thoracolumbar spine, left knee pain, and right knee pain. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition was reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim, but remanded for an addendum medical opinion from the private physician who conducted the VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records and the need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's right knee and left hip disabilities may be related to his service, but further development is needed to determine this.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of mumps has been denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that his current groin pain is related to his in-service mumps.,The Veteran's right knee disability claim was withdrawn at his hearing, thus the issue is dismissed.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The only reported symptoms were snoring and occasional periods of apnea during marriage after service.,Service connection for TMJ was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's current TMJ disability is related to his in-service mumps, which is considered a symptom of the same condition.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus remains pending and requires further examination by VA medical personnel.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating of TBI and remanded the issues of service connection for right knee injury and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is granted as secondary to her service-connected low back strain. High cholesterol, bilateral knee disorders, OSA, and hypertension are denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for uterine fibroid with menorrhagia is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition and left foot conditions as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee and IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The case requires further examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.