Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for a service-connected spine disability due to insufficient information and potential worsening.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated and denied, with no new evidence or changes in condition warranting a different rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, skin disability, low back disability with sciatica, acquired psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder), and left wrist disability. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The appeals for back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition have been remanded.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected sacroiliac joint dysfunction, left knee osteoarthritis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have all been rated at the minimum 10 percent level.,No higher ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, bilateral pes planus, left and right foot hallux valgus, left and right knee disorders, and bilateral metatarsalgia were denied as there was no communication prior to the dates of receipt that could be construed as a formal or informal claim.,The effective date assigned for each condition is the date of receipt of the claim, which is either October 3, 2011 (for hypertensive retinopathy and pes planus) or July 27, 2011 (for hallux valgus and knee disorders).,The Veteran's claims for service connection were not granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee and left wrist disabilities, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the remanded claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin condition, bilateral eye condition, left knee disability, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease, a compensable rating from October 2018 for limited extension of the left knee associated with left knee degenerative joint disease, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 30, 2013, for increased disability ratings of various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran initiated his claims before this date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his service-connected right knee replacement is granted, with the highest schedular rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for neck, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders were denied as new and material evidence was not provided.,No service connection granted or assigned a rating.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability, but his cervical spine, left knee, hemorrhoids, headaches (claimed as migraines), and insomnia are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various joint disabilities, including back disability, right knee, left knee, and hip disabilities. The remand requires additional examinations to address whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's skeletal arthritis, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities and depression, finding no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to active service. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was set at May 20, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including a lack of records prior to 2008 and an unclear opinion from the December 2016 VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition and remanded his claims for service connection for triple bypass surgery and hypertension.