Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's back disorder. The right knee disorder remains in dispute as it was not addressed by the Board.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for neurobehavioral effects, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of a neurobehavior disorder throughout the appeals period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for a new examination to determine the current severities of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension and skin disability have been granted initial ratings. The right knee, left finger, and sleep apnea disorders are all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260, 5261, and 5258.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current tinnitus had its inception during a period of active service, thus granting service connection. Service connection was also granted for bilateral knee disability based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The psychiatric claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, neck, and left hand disabilities.,The decision also noted that new evidence was provided to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for a sleep disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are related to service, particularly as secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the disabilities did not manifest within one year after separation from service. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied due to lack of a diagnosis before separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a low back injury and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is as likely as not attributable to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is reopened, and the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his left knee degenerative arthritis is remanded. The issue of entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD) is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities related to his shoulders, cervical spine, and knee have not been rated appropriately. The Board has ordered remand for further examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's back and neck disabilities have also been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were granted service connection as they are related to her active duty service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica was granted as it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, rating for lumbar spine disability, and right knee injury due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 18, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a low back disorder and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, initial ratings for right ankle and right ankle scar disabilities, and entitlement to TDIU due to their potential impact on each other.