Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete information and for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and possibly referring the issue to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has restored the original 50% ratings for left and right knee degenerative joint disease from May 1, 2017 as the RO did not follow proper procedural guidelines in reducing these ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus (right), post-traumatic stress disorder (MST), left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and post right foot hallux valgus surgery scars, do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues, including the evaluation of total right knee arthroplasty, coronary artery disease prior to January 4, 2018, service connection for lung disease, and service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee disability has been dismissed due to his death. The appeal for eligibility for specially adapted housing has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the TDIU claim is granted. The left elbow disability issue remains pending due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left shoulder disability, back disability, and bilateral foot disability are all remanded for further review. Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD rating is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and frostbite/cold injury residuals of the extremities were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV or DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee total replacement with degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, and right hip degenerative joint disease are all granted service connection. The Veteran’s right shoulder degenerative joint disease is also granted service connection.,Left knee muscle damage, nerve damage, and scar issues as well as a bilateral foot disability remain unresolved and require further examination.

The Veteran's left knee instability rating was restored to a 10 percent level, effective October 24, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow, lumbar spine, and knee disabilities. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to December 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly those related to service connection. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral foot disability have been granted, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is proximately due to, or aggravated by his service-connected sinus disability. The remaining issues regarding increased ratings for left knee and sinus disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for bilateral knee condition, left ear hearing loss, and skin condition were granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss was denied. The case is remanded for further action on the issues of service connection for a heart condition, gastrointestinal condition, and left knee shrapnel injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities due to missing records and inconsistencies in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral knee disabilities, as well as a statement of the case on the issue of increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for corneal degeneration in the left eye was denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, chronic cervical spine strain, and left knee patellar tendonitis were granted with a 20% rating effective from December 14, 2014. The claim for service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy and PTSD was remanded.