Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, a heart condition, gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia/GERD), and a right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post meniscectomy is granted. The disability is currently rated at 10 percent and has been increased to 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including low back, left hip, right thigh/hip, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The decision found that these conditions were not related to his service or service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and a left lower extremity surgical scar were denied as there was no evidence of compensable disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence received since his last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and a low back disability due to insufficient evidence. The issues are being returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, low back disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has a master’s degree in educational administration and work experience as an Army instructor/teacher. The Board finds that the evidence is insufficient to show his physical impairments prevent him from performing sedentary work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone do not necessitate regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorders should be remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder and knee disorders and tinnitus. The claims for these conditions are not currently resolved.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right knee strain is remanded. The Board finds an earlier effective date of September 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for scar, posterior trunk.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service-connected conditions, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his low back disability, left knee plica, and right knee plica due to incomplete examination reports and lack of consideration of functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings for limitation of extension, flexion, and instability of the right knee due to an inadequate July 2013 VA examination report.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's right knee disability due to his testimony indicating it has worsened since his last VA examination in October 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of VA examinations and need for a new examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,A 10 percent disability rating is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, with pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

The claims for service connection of tuberculosis, heart disease, left and right knee conditions, and headache condition have been denied.,Claims for increased evaluations of tinnitus and earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and hearing loss have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vision loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right leg disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.