Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis is related to service and if it was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's prostate disorder and hypertension claims were denied due to lack of in-service incurrence. The knee and skin disorders were also denied as there was no in-service incurrence. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records, scheduling examinations, and considering the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess her knee disabilities and consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound were denied as he did not meet the requirements for either benefit.

The Veteran's right knee disorder has worsened since his last VA examination in March 2015, and he underwent a total knee replacement. The Board finds that the claim must be remanded to schedule a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions, as well as the need for additional exposure information.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of acute thoracic and lumbar strain, left knee condition, migraines, and PTSD. The claims are reopened but remain denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the veteran's current left knee and left foot disabilities are related to his service, including stress fractures sustained during basic training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left and right knee conditions are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions. Further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for left knee MCL injury with instability from 20 percent to 0 percent effective November 1, 2013 was not proper and restored the prior rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his right hip, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for joint pain, knee, hip, and elbow disabilities due to an undiagnosed illness is denied. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and right knee scar have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran prior to a Board decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee strains, left and right elbow arthritis, and a cognitive deficit (memory loss) as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further consideration due to issues with the evaluation of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, specifically regarding whether the residuals from his total knee replacement and degenerative arthritis are severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for left clubfoot, left ankle condition, left hip condition, flat feet, and left knee disability. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not found to be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for left knee strain, right knee strain, arm wound, bilateral hearing loss disability, and respiratory disorder (claimed as breathing issues) have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine, finding that new and material evidence was not received.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left knee disorder, including medial meniscal tear, degenerative type, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but these issues are still pending as they have been remanded due to new evidence.