Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional relevant evidence being added to his claims file.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient VA etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed right and left knee disabilities, as well as his left ankle disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability (post-total knee replacement surgery) is being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for his right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been denied.,No new or material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's right knee condition is granted service connection, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Major Depression) is also granted. The rating for the left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis remains at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right hand, left hand, right knee, or left knee disabilities and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities due to outstanding service records and post-service records. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran’s back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are presumed due to exposure to an IED blast during service. The Veteran has been remanded for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.,Service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all denied.,Service connection for skeletal arthritis is denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (left and right) and upper extremities (left and right) is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.,Service connection for bilateral kidney disability is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral eye condition (diabetic retinopathy) is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board denied all requests for an effective date prior to September 1, 2013 for the awards of service connection and payment of disability compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with patellar chondromalacia and left hip strain, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, left thumb disability, knee disabilities, hearing loss, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to failure to report for a scheduled examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is requested to attend new examinations for his knee, psychiatric disorders, and lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete treatment records.

The Board has identified several issues for remand, including obtaining medical records and ensuring translations of documents. The claims related to superficial scars, duodenal ulcer disease, automobile or adaptive equipment benefits, service connection for hernia and loss of use of the left knee are all pending.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional records and information from the Veteran's treatment providers.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 21, 2014, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than September 12, 2013, for the grant of service connection for left knee instability and for a 30 percent rating for traumatic DJD of the right and left knees were granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee injury and concussion with memory loss and headaches are not etiologically related to his active military service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, but has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss.