Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding no evidence that these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy was granted. The rating for chronic bronchitis remains at noncompensable (0%). Service connection for a sleep disorder other than apnea is remanded.,Effective dates prior to October 15, 2015 were denied for cervical strain, right knee arthritis with meniscal tear and patella chondromalacia, and tinnitus service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of these claims.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for bilateral knee condition, neck condition, back condition, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted. The issues of service connection for meningitis, headaches, a disability of the male reproductive system, and a neurological or musculoskeletal condition associated with diffuse pain were also addressed and are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is not related to her military service and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. A 20 percent rating is assigned for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to August 3, 2016 and remanded for further evaluation of his TDIU claim from August 3, 2016 to August 16, 2018.

The Veteran's right knee torn meniscus and osteoarthritis are found to have started during service and continue since, granting service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, lumbar spine, tension headaches (claimed as secondary to neck and back pain), right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues are related to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its relationship to his service-connected left knee replacement and any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as the claim of a disability rating greater than 30 percent for anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service, including any in-service injuries or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and consideration of updated treatment records. The issues include a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, a higher disability rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 4, 2018 and a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of extension from December 4, 2012 to December 4, 2018. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating after December 4, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent effective December 4, 2018 and the appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, as he contends that they are secondary to his service-connected fungal skin condition and furunculosis. The VA examinations did not address the question of aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee lateral meniscal tear with chondromalacia and arthritis is related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as for cirrhosis of liver (hepatitis B), but has remanded the issues regarding right shoulder condition, bilateral foot condition, acid reflux, rashes over body, sinus and headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA knee examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease, including during flare-ups and with consideration of any residual symptoms from his previous meniscectomy.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right hip condition, right knee condition, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,No current diagnosed conditions were found in the Veteran's records that are related to his military service.