Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the lack of VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee condition. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed.,Service connection for Peripheral Arterial Disease and Vascular Disease is denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his period of active service, including exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for Above the Knee Amputation of the Left Leg (secondary to vascular disease) is denied as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as the VA examiner found no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination addressing these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for plantar warts of both feet, shoulder disorders, elbow disorders, knee disorders, sleep apnea, and GERD. The remand requires additional development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss claim is denied, and the cervical and thoracic spine conditions are not supported by the evidence. Service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee degenerative joint disease remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the discontinuation of the rating for left knee osteoarthritis with effusion was not proper. The prior rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to a lack of available medical records from his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected left knee instability from 10 percent to zero percent was improper and restored a 10 percent rating effective February 1, 2015. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for service-connected left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder, right knee disability, compensable evaluation for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected right-knee disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased evaluation has been denied.,Similarly, the Veteran's service-connected left-knee disorder is also rated at 10 percent, with the claim for an increased evaluation being denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities and breast cancer. The Veteran's claims are pending due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability, anxiety disorder with insomnia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a leg condition and increased ratings for his knee disabilities was denied. The claim of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability based on new and material evidence. However, further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current right knee condition is related to his military service.

The Board has vacated the November 27, 2018 decision that granted an initial rating more than 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disorder and a separate 10 percent rating for slight lateral instability. The issues are being remanded due to additional development needed.