Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolysis L-5, claimed as low back condition with pain, was granted. Claims for left knee and right knee conditions, as well as shin splints, were also granted. The claims for increased evaluations of bilateral pes planus, erectile dysfunction secondary to hypertension, seborrheic dermatitis, and PTSD are pending.

The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied because the Veteran was not evaluated as totally disabled for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately preceding death. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to missing medical records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for entitlement to a TDIU and granted service connection for tinea versicolor. The issues of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling prior to February 24, 2009, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for a left knee disability, as well as an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected left knee scars associated with the left knee meniscal tear are remanded. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling and his service-connected low back and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's disability compensation for his service-connected right knee condition was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, and the Board has now remanded these issues.

The Veteran's left knee disorders, including arthritis, ACL sprain, and cartilage erosion, are being remanded for further development to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service, including walking patrols on challenging terrain during his time in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, left foot disability, right foot disability, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his bilateral foot disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and nose and left hand scars, was granted. The effective date of the increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease is granted service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for migraine headaches is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Special monthly compensation based on housebound status from September 1, 2016 is denied.,Service connection for left knee conditions (limitation of extension and limitation of flexion) is granted with an effective date of May 23, 2016. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date remains pending.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for left knee conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and major depressive disorder, as these conditions may be related to his service-connected back condition. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the left knee conditions prior to a decision being made, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in February 2018 did not comply with the remand directives and requires another examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee condition has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's knee pain was severe and he could not make the trip to a VA facility. The Board found that there was a medical emergency, as the Veteran had not previously experienced such intense pain and it would have been hazardous for him to wait for his appointment at the VA.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and low back disabilities secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia left knee disability. The case is remanded for further examination regarding a claimed right hip disability and an increased rating for duodenal ulcer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that it is not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the onset of his knee conditions during service.