Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, hypertension, and left knee disorder due to a potential issue with the service dates. The case will be reviewed again after verifying the period of service from March 15 to April 7, 2002.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability was denied in 1980 and became final. The appeal is denied as there is no basis under the general effective date regulations for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for his claim of an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus. His claim to reopen a service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but the Board must remand all other issues due to new evidence received since the last final denial in 2004.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for status post fractured coccyx and various cold injury residuals. The Veteran's ulcerative colitis claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hand disabilities, but has denied both claims as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee condition, muscle condition, and headaches as there is no evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis, have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for an ulcer disability. The issues of service connection for the remaining conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, but has remanded them for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleeping disorder, left knee status post meniscus repair, and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been denied as the evidence does not support a causal relationship to his active service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and various skin conditions are remanded due to the need for new evidence or clarification of veteran status. Claims for numbness in arms and legs as well as a headache and nerve condition related to Camp Lejeune exposure are also remanded.

The Board has found that a higher rating for right knee degenerative joint disease and separate ratings for limited extension and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage are not warranted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 4, 2018 and granted a 20 percent rating beginning on that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 4, 2018 and granted a 20 percent rating beginning on that date. A separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability of the right knee is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, low back, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered the reinstatement of a 30 percent rating for left knee replacement residuals pending final appellate adjudication. The case is also remanded to obtain the appellant's complete workers' compensation file and to obtain an additional medical opinion regarding whether any current left knee disorder preexisted active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.