Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and remands for further examination of his bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, macular scars, rheumatoid arthritis, osteopenia, and a bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further examination on the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral leg numbness, OSA as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, cardiovascular disability (including atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease) and skin cancer all as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The effective date of the rating for these conditions is March 3, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities were denied because he failed to attend a VA examination scheduled in March 2015, which was necessary to evaluate the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for left knee disability and hearing loss were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's pes planus claim requires a remand due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent from March 31, 2009 to May 23, 2010; September 1, 2010 to January 13, 2011; and March 1, 2011 to December 27, 2018. As of December 28, 2018, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling for limitation of extension and no higher.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating and a higher rating for his right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis as there is no evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as PTSD) are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,Specifically, the VA examiners will need to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities are remanded due to inadequate or incomplete medical opinions, as well as potential changes in the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for kidney failure, hip and knee conditions, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a disability of the feet. The Veteran's current knee and foot conditions are not related to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for headaches, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative facet arthropathy have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for hypertension has been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease in service or within a presumptive period, and that the current diagnosis is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection for a right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 90 percent disabling since September 23, 2012. The Board has granted restoration of disability ratings for migraines, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as TDIU from September 23, 2012 to September 22, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, bilateral knee disability, and lower back disability. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and prostate condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back pain, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee disability, and right ankle injury residuals due to new and material evidence. The issues are remanded for further development.