Knee decisions — 2019

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for left knee instability was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee arthritis and right knee strain with arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional service connections.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 17, 2015 and service connection for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records. The right shoulder disability claim is also being remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the date of entitlement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral knee disability, bilateral lower leg shin splints, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus require additional development due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of an increased rating for left knee with mild osteoarthritis due to a need for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of the Veteran's knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous decision. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess his current low back disability, right and left knee conditions, and their impact on his functional abilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities are granted. The Board finds that the current bilateral knee disability is due to parachute jumps in service, warranting service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability due to new and material evidence submitted. However, further development is needed as the appellant has not been afforded a VA examination to address the etiology of any current right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine, right ankle, and left knee disabilities were denied. The effective dates for the increased ratings for the left knee disability are not established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right knee, back, and left knee disabilities.

The claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left knee condition, right knee condition, TMJ, urinary incontinence, hypothyroidism, and migraine headaches is granted. The effective date of the award is not specified.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic disability of the fallopian tube was not granted. The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with shin splints due to additional development being required.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, tendonitis, bilateral shin splints, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for mild head injury with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and for an effective date prior to May 17, 2011 for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee strain. The appeals were denied as there was no evidence showing an intent to file a claim prior to June 29, 2014, and the medical evidence did not support higher schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee disorders, finding that there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, fractured skull, and fractured sternum due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, heart condition, hypertension, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and several musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient new and relevant evidence for service connection of a left knee disorder. The lumbar spine disorder issue remains under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to new evidence submitted after previous denials.