Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The issues include lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and surgical complications of pregnancy.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service. The Board found that the Veteran’s Major Depressive Disorder is more likely due to post-service factors.,Service connection for athletes' foot, right knee disorder, back disorder, and right ankle disorder were remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating based on their combined rating of 80%. However, due to the lack of an examination considering her unemployability due to these conditions, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee instability has been granted a 30 percent evaluation as of October 12, 2016. The extension limitation is not considered for rating purposes due to the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5261.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has determined that new evidence received since the February 2009 rating decision is sufficient to reopen the claim, but it did not provide a clear determination on whether service connection was granted or denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities. The claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine issues, fibromyalgia, and others, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and bilateral leg disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements and in-service treatment records are considered credible.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his transient ischemic attack is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and migraine headaches due to the need for further evidentiary development, including new VA examinations.

The Board granted an effective date of September 1, 1999 for the awards of separate 10 percent ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees. The appeal is dismissed as it has already been decided.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus have been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including back condition, right knee condition, left ankle injury, right wrist condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder (to include insomnia), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's right knee disability and depressive disorder are being remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is deferred until the right knee issue is resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The VA is remanding the cases to provide further examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to their potential relationship with a service-connected right fifth metatarsal fracture. Additionally, the claims for service connection for psychiatric and neurological disorders are also being remanded as they may be related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as there is no current diagnosis associated with these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia and instability, is rated at 20 percent effective December 1, 2011. A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability is granted from December 1, 2011.