Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, vision condition, bilateral hearing loss, and asthma have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset in service and continues to this day, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that an etiological opinion is necessary.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment is being remanded due to concerns about his ability to use his feet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disability, and knee disabilities due to potential conflicts in medical opinions and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability should be remanded for further examination and to obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee, hip, and leg disability due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was found to be moot due to the assignment of a full grant of benefits. The appeal as to bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for malaria has been denied, and the Board has found that there is no evidence of active malaria or its residuals during the appeal period. The right knee disability issue has been remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the tinnitus claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of VA examinations regarding his left knee replacement. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative arthritis in both knees are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA joints examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a head injury with residual chronic headaches is granted. The claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disorder, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, traumatic brain injury with residual headaches, and right knee disability are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea syndrome. The claims are being remanded to obtain a VA examination and supplemental opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, incomplete employment information, and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 (2012) for left below the knee amputation due to septic thrombophlebitis has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were granted increased ratings, with the left knee receiving a 20% rating effective from March 4, 2008 until October 10, 2008. The right knee received a 20% rating effective from March 4, 2008 until February 24, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for right knee and lower back conditions have been granted, with service connection established.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome and headaches, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of his symptoms.