Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions and incomplete examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee conditions have been denied. The right knee extension limitation has not met the criteria for a higher rating, and the left knee extension and chondromalacia patella conditions are also rated as they should be.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if any current hand, foot, or knee disorders are related to service. The Veteran's in-service complaints and injuries will be considered.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right shoulder disability, finding that it was proximately caused by his service-connected left knee disability. The other two disabilities (right knee and lower back) were denied as not being related to the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all listed conditions, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (depression) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is to be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder during active duty and that any current osteoarthritis is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and cause of her claimed conditions. The VA must obtain additional opinions addressing whether her sicca syndrome, bilateral knee disorder, allergic disorders, and pulmonary disorder are related to her military service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's right knee disability, and the issue of TDIU has been raised due to his employment status.

The Board has remanded both the service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 claims due to insufficient VCAA notice, need for additional development of evidence, and the requirement for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and headaches have all been denied service connection. The flank scar associated with kidney cancer has an effective date of March 14, 2017.,An initial compensable rating for the flank scar is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle and left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to his active service or to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip condition was denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for left knee instability, beginning March 30, 2012. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee traumatic arthritis, left knee lateral instability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The right knee issue is also remanded as secondary to the service-connected left knee condition. Sleep apnea is also remanded as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to an earlier effective date for a service-connected right bicep tear without attachment, service connection for left knee pain, and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to issues of CUE in prior rating decisions and additional evidence received since the August 2017 SOC.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and right knee disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation folder, and for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder may be related to her service, but additional evidence is needed to confirm this. The case is being remanded for further investigation and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and to obtain updated VA examinations.,The Veteran has multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various knee disorders, shoulder strain, wrist strain, thoracic spine compression fracture, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis with first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis, pansinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches. Additionally, he seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and right flank condition with numbness.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a broken left leg, right knee strain, and right ankle strain due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.