Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for lumbar disability due to a lack of in-service records and potential pre-existing condition. Service connection is granted for left knee condition and denied for cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's initial and current ratings for right knee painful motion, instability, left knee painful motion, and instability have been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to outstanding medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee injury and acquired psychiatric disability claims.

The Veteran's right knee DJD has been manifested by painful motion, with noncompensable levels of limited flexion. The Board finds that a disability rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating for his right-toe condition and service connection for a bilateral knee condition due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to obtain relevant records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to inadequate examination in May 2016. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered along with his service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the claims for bronchitis and heart disorders due to herbicide exposure. The decision on the right knee disorder is final, while the other two issues are pending further review.

The Veteran's claim for left knee disorder has been reopened and granted. The claim for tinnitus is also granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.,The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the left knee disorder claim, granting service connection for tinnitus, and remanding the claims for right knee rating and left knee secondary service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right leg disability, including any related neurological disorders and strain, may be service-connected as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. However, due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations, an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder disability and right foot disability. The issues include seeking service connection for these conditions, as well as higher ratings for other disabilities such as degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee, right knee, left foot hallux valgus with left big toe degenerative joint disease, and hammertoes of the left foot. Additionally, the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition, including his meniscal cyst.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, right ankle, and low back disabilities should be remanded due to incomplete information about his service records and potential new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including VA examination reports and private treatment records. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has reconsidered the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, residuals of a recurrent anal fissure, sarcoidosis with sleep apnea, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and cyst removal scar. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disorders, specifically pre-patellar bursitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee instability, and lower extremity radiculopathies, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for low back, right hip, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.