Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection based on the benefit of doubt.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted due to the evidence being at least in equipoise with regards to its onset during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's left knee condition (patellofemoral arthrosis with recurrent cellulitis) and left hip degenerative joint disease are granted service connection. The left hip condition is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain and depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability was aggravated in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, renders him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities and their relationship to his military service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is remanded. Service connection claims for left knee disability, back disability, and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability based on receipt of new and material evidence. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability and left shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder are being remanded due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for right knee strain, left knee meniscus repair, and tinnitus are remanded as well as the claim for service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for development to address duty-to-assist deficiencies.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, right hip, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to outstanding questions regarding diagnoses, functional impairment, and nexus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her claims.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board vacated its previous decision and granted service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, denied an increased rating for right knee flexion, granted separate ratings for right knee extension and instability, and denied a compensable rating for hypertension. The flat feet, PFB, and TDIU claims were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee arthritis, as well as left and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's period of active service.