Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left wrist disorder, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, traumatic cognitive disorder (mental disorder due to traumatic fall), seizure disorder, and left knee disorder. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability status post total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent, effective from December 1, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to work due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.,New evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her left knee condition is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for a right knee disability secondary to her service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right foot and ankle conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has found that referral for extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The right knee, back, tinnitus, ingrown toenails, left knee disorder (claimed as left knee disorder), bilateral hearing loss (claimed as bilateral hearing loss), lung disorder (claimed as lung disorder, specifically asbestosis), nasal disorder (claimed as nasal disorder, specifically rhinitis), and headaches have been denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any other relevant time period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left total knee arthroplasty and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee injury with chondromalacia. The earlier effective date claim for the award of a rating and service connection remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, right knee, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities or causal relationship.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, lower back disability, and left knee disability. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell anemia has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or superimposed disease.,The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for various disabilities, including blurred vision, hearing loss, and PTSD with memory loss, are remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records. The case will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Services for an initial adjudication on whether an extraschedular TDIU should be granted prior to January 28, 2015.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability are denied. The claims for service connection for left knee and back disabilities are remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for degenerative joint disease and a separate 20 percent rating for dislocated cartilage, with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The 20 percent rating for the dislocated cartilage was granted effective July 30, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and rating for his knee, plantar fasciitis, low back condition, and ankle disorders due to inadequate examinations in prior VA evaluations.