Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an increased evaluation for left knee osteoarthritis prior to January 8, 2018 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or incurrence of a left knee disability during service, respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip bursitis and DJD, left knee are related to his service-connected right lower extremity disabilities. The decision is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and back disability have been dismissed.,A 50 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for Major Depressive Disorder from January 26, 2010 to July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg injury, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and left ankle degenerative arthritis have been granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the current medical opinions are inadequate and requires addendum opinions to address the Veteran's reports of knee symptoms during service. Additionally, an opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran’s low back disability caused or aggravated his knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete VA examinations and missing treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new evidence submitted. The claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities, are denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is granted.

The Board has denied entitlement to increased ratings for post-prosthetic replacement of the right and left knees, but granted restoration of the 20 percent disability ratings for hip strain (abduction) from May 15, 2015.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received, allowing the reopening of the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition. Service connection is granted for this condition as secondary to a service-connected back condition. The Veteran's left knee scar is also granted as secondary to her bilateral knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for left foot scar and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are still pending.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches remain pending. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is remanded due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran reported worsening symptoms and requested further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative changes of both his left and right knees, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right hip and right knee disorders, which are claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The increased rating case is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted. The issue of an effective date prior to January 13, 2015, for the assignment of a combined rating of 100 percent is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), and an intestinal disorder. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and the Veteran's spouse should be given an opportunity to provide releases for non-VA medical facilities where she received treatment.

The Veteran is granted effective dates for right and left knee instability due to degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Director of Compensation Service needs to determine if an extra-schedular rating was warranted prior to June 13, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability has been denied. He is currently rated at 60% since January 17, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, chronic strain of the left elbow, degenerative joint disease of the right elbow, and cervical spine strain have been denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to February 16, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is remanded.

The May 2007 rating decision was reversed, and service connection for bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome is granted effective November 13, 2006. The right shoulder and left shoulder disability claims are reopened.