Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as her service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, considering her other severe nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for left and right knee strains from 40 percent to 40 percent, and from 30 percent to 10 percent respectively, effective February 10, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back disability. The other two issues of service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service-connected, with the left knee disability receiving a temporary 100% rating followed by a permanent 60% rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and a laceration to the right ring finger. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing an in-service injury or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient treatment records and the need for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's right leg amputation was caused by carelessness, negligence or fault on the part of VA.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a left foot disability, both secondary to the Veteran's pre-existing left knee and right knee disabilities respectively.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding the timeliness of his notices of disagreement and entitlement to a higher rating for left knee disability. The appeal was also dismissed as he withdrew his claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for a left ankle disability. The Veteran is required to submit statements of the case (SOC) for some claims and must be given an opportunity to perfect his appeal.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for service connection for myositis, cervical strain (neck disability), spinal stenosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, COPD, edema, GERD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bronchitis have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spondylolisthesis with arthritis and left knee chondromalacia have been granted. The right knee disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for blurred vision, high blood pressure, chest pain, left foot disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, heart condition, sinus condition, right hand condition, and shin bone pain have been reopened.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) has not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, as well as to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected left ankle or low back disabilities caused or aggravated his claimed hip and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and functional loss assessment. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his left knee disability, which was initially granted in September 1996 with a noncompensable rating effective May 28, 1996. He filed a claim for an increased rating on June 18, 2012 and received a 10 percent rating effective June 18, 2012. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date than June 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been reopened, but the new evidence does not provide sufficient information to substantiate the claim.

The Board has decided to remand several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including G6PD, hematuria, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, sleep apnea, acid reflux, hyperlipidemia, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, bilateral knee scars, and major depressive disorder. The remand includes obtaining missing VA treatment records, scheduling examinations for the Veteran's depression, knees, elbows, and lumbar strain conditions, and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome (left upper extremity), left elbow post-surgical scars, PTSD, right elbow disability, and right knee chondromalacia have all been denied.,No effective date has been established for any of the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Service connection for a left knee disorder has been reopened, but the claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bipolar disorder. The decisions on left and right knee disorders are denied.