Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, but the right knee disability remains in dispute due to insufficient nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and tinnitus disorders have been denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, hepatitis C, liver disease and cirrhosis, but denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and bilateral knee disabilities may be related to service, but more evidence is needed for a definitive determination.

The Board denied service connection for back pain, right knee disability, tinnitus, and headaches as the evidence did not support a relationship to service.

The Veteran's left knee and right knee disorders are granted service connection, while her sinusitis with headaches is denied.,Service connection for a hip disorder, peripheral vestibular condition, and GERD with dysphagia is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar, left knee, and right knee strains have been rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a homicide, finding that bipolar disorder did not contribute to his death. The preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran’s service-connected conditions and his death.

The Veteran's request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of residuals of a stress fracture of the right tibia was denied. The left knee disability, variously diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis and meniscus tear of the left knee, is granted.,Issues regarding the right knee condition and left shin splints are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied. The appeals are not about service connection at all, but rather increased ratings and remand of certain issues.

The Board has denied service connection for TMJ dysfunction due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The case for left knee disability is remanded as the Veteran has provided evidence of in-service injury and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee meniscal tear and anterior cruciate tear was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.,The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's varicose veins were rated at 10 percent each leg. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to relief by elevation and compression hosiery.,The Veteran's scar, left knee status post-surgery was rated at 0 percent as it did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7805.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection claims for low back disorder, hernia disorder, herniated c5 and 6 pinched nerve, and right knee disorder before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating for left and right knee instability, as well as limitation of extension. The Veteran's claim is now before the RO to determine appropriate effective dates.

The Board has granted a separate initial rating of 20 percent for cartilage impairment from January 24, 2014 to March 11, 2018, and a 10 percent rating from March 12, 2018. The Veteran's right knee instability prior to January 24, 2014 was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left and right knees have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for either knee.

The Veteran's kidney condition, characterized by kidney stones, is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis, a spine condition (back injury), right knee condition, and right ankle condition are remanded.