Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion. The Board will consider whether the current right knee disability is related to his military service or if it is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims for increased ratings of left knee instability and semilunar cartilage condition as well as right knee instability are being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for joint pains because it was related to previously granted claims for shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without the aid of assistive devices, such as a wheelchair or cane. The Board has granted specially adapted housing for this reason.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disorder is granted. His claims for left hip and head trauma are denied, as well as the request for an increased rating for his left knee injury.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are granted with a 20% rating each. Service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from February 15, 2016 to August 21, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of her service-connected osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, as well as GERD, are remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease, as well as his TDIU claim. The issues are being returned to the VA for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition has resulted in malunion of the tibia and fibula with a marked knee disability throughout the period on appeal, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder, back, knee, foot, and pes planus disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's left knee brace, which he has used since October 2015 and is still required for his service-connected left knee disability, tends to wear out or tear his clothing. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2017 calendar year based on this use.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is found to have its onset during active duty service, and the Board finds that his current condition is related to service. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right knee condition is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all relevant manifestations, including instability, locking, and pain.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 2, 2017 was denied. The appeal remains pending.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of left clavicle fracture.,Service connection for left shoulder disability (rotator cuff tear and strain) is granted based on a positive medical nexus opinion linking it to service.,The Veteran's claims for right knee disorder and left knee disorder are remanded due to new and material evidence submitted.,Service connection for bilateral knee DJD is granted based on X-ray findings of arthritis in both knees.,The Veteran's claim for respiratory disability, including herbicide exposure, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from finding and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination. The issues include tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety), erectile dysfunction, flat feet, right knee injury, and left knee injury.