Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination to address her service-connected cervical spine, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for low back disability, and service connection for bilateral knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, insomnia, migraine headaches, and depression based on new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were granted ratings of 20 percent for instability prior to April 29, 2013 and 20 percent for instability prior to April 29, 2014 respectively. Ratings in excess of these levels are denied.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for low back and left knee disabilities is granted. The appeals to reopen service connection for right great toe disability, left shoulder disability, left hand disability, neck disability, and hearing loss are also granted. However, the claims of service connection for these conditions remain remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issues of service connection for lumbar spine condition and bilateral knee condition, as well as entitlement to a compensable rating for cervical spine scar.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension is restored to a 50% evaluation effective from November 1, 2016. The issue of increased ratings for right knee flexion and extension remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, degenerative joint disease, and patellofemoral pain syndrome as well as right knee strain, degenerative joint disease, and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The appeal is remanded for further action on the increased rating claim for arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional records and possible medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee DJD, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome due to incomplete examinations in the prior remand.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, a lower extremity disorder (claimed as knee or leg condition), an acquired psychiatric condition (to include anxiety due to trauma and unspecified depressive disorder), and vision loss, have all been denied. The Board found that the preexisting conditions did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims, except for the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability which has been reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee disabilities need to be re-evaluated due to incomplete examination and potential worsening of symptoms, necessitating a remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and HIV due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and hemorrhoids due to outstanding private medical records and additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 13, 2013, for service connection of various conditions have been denied as a matter of law due to the preclusion of VA compensation while on active duty. The Board also remanded several issues related to chest pain and other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee DJD, as well as ED. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration of new evidence and further medical guidance is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for left foot fungus, left hip disability, and left knee disability due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or right knee replacement.