Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for her right lower extremity chronic regional pain syndrome and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (below the knee) with right knee tear of the junction of the anterior horn and medial meniscus, and right lower extremity chronic regional pain syndrome and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (above the knee) with hip strain and thigh atrophy is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional medical evidence. The Veteran's left knee disorder may be related to his military service, but more information is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disability and right ear hearing loss disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence/aggravation.,Tinnitus claim has been remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's left knee condition is being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation and that his current condition is more likely due to obesity. The Board also found that his right knee disability did not cause or aggravate his left knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, neck, hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, arm, leg, hand, sinusitis, heart, hypertension, stomach, cancer, foot, diabetes mellitus, brain injury, and seizure disability. The decision was based on the lack of competent evidence supporting these claims.,The Board also remanded service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability, headache, earlier effective date for right ankle disability, and service connection for a disability of the hips.

The Veteran's claim for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was received within one year of discharge, and the effective date is set at June 1, 1995.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for asbestosis and gastritis, and has remanded the remaining issues.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 60% since February 1, 2015. The rating is for total right knee replacement and does not include subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence received since the August 2015 statement of the case warrants a remand for further action on the issues of service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for right foot plantar fasciitis/tendonitis, TMJ syndrome, and bilateral patellofemoral knee syndrome. The issue of increased rating for right ankle condition remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for his right knee PFS due to outstanding VA treatment records, need for additional examination, and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, cancer (to include renal cell carcinoma also metastasized to the bones, esophagus, adrenal gland, lung, and/or prostate), and benign prostatic hyperplasia due to insufficient evidence in the record.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, liver disorder, cold injury residuals, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left elbow disorder, and back disability has been denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was not granted as it is not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, right knee injury, and left knee injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and updated VA treatment records being available.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder, left knee arthralgia, and right knee arthralgia as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has found insufficient evidence to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right knee, right hip, and left shoulder disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and skin disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are now before the Board for further review.