Knee decisions — 2019

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back conditions have been denied. The Board has remanded the case due to a failure of the RO to issue a statement of the case regarding an increased disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's ratings for right knee disability and scar were restored to their previous levels of 20% and 10%, respectively, effective March 1, 2017.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for left knee disability, right knee disability, cervical spine disability prior to December 19, 2017, and lumbar spine disability as of December 19, 2017 have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee conditions, special monthly compensation for loss of use of the right lower extremity, and TDIU due to additional evidence added since the last statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his right knee condition and for service connection of his left knee disability, which is secondary to his right knee disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's hemorrhoid disability is granted as service-connected. The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and remanded several issues related to his spine, knees, hearing loss, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, hypertension, varicocele, and epididymitis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial rating of hemorrhoids, a scar on the right knee, residuals of a right hand injury, residuals of a right middle finger injury, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disability, including whether it is caused by service-connected ankle disabilities or left knee disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 10 percent, but no more. The lumbar strain and bilateral knee disorders are each rated at 10 percent.,PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to January 31, 2014, with the possibility of an increased rating from that date onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and lumbosacral spine strain require additional development due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, a right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) as there is no evidence of such conditions during the appellant's ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been productive of pain on motion during the appeal period, warranting a 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's service-connected TBI also requires further examination to determine its current severity.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition and remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination to assess the Veteran's hip and knee conditions, specifically whether they originated during his period of active service or are otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, tinnitus, residuals of TBI, and coronal fracture of tooth #9 without loss of tooth (front tooth replacement). The claim for PTSD was also denied.,There is no evidence to support that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness has been denied. The Board found no current disability upon which to base a claim of service connection. Service connection is also remanded for back, right leg, and bilateral knee disorders due to combat service.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition, including any flare-ups and functional impairment.

The Veteran's right hip strain is rated at a 10% rating from December 27, 2018. A separate noncompensable rating for limitation of extension was granted prior to that date. The left knee osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is not service-connected.,Her left and right knee disabilities are not service-connected.,Her back and neck disabilities are not service-connected.,Her respiratory, cardiovascular, GERD, benign neoplasm/lipoma removal, and migraines are not service-connected.