Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and musculoskeletal conditions, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 10, 2005 for the grant of service connection for his back condition and associated scars were denied.,Claims for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis also had their effective dates denied.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is found to be proximately due to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee pain and osteoarthritis, as well as inguinal pain, due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left foot disability, including arthritis with bunions and hammer toes, is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain, patellarfemoral syndrome and medial meniscal tear (left knee), patellarfemoral syndrome (right knee), residual surgical scars (right hand, right and left knees, and cyst, right hand), painful scar (left lower extremity), and scar (right upper extremity) are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left arm was granted, and a 10% rating is assigned.,Service connection for right knee disability has been remanded due to new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knee, back disability, and bilateral foot disability due to a lack of a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hyperlordotic curvature of lumbar spine, mild; sclerosis and right knee disability, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery due to inadequate examination reports. The case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his increased rating for back disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's TBI residuals claim was also denied.,The Board found no current disabilities for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, or right lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims for left and right knee conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection is now established for these conditions.

The Board has remanded three issues: an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for painful extension of the left knee prior to May 1, 2017; an increased rating for left knee instability from January 10, 2014 and rated 10 percent from the beginning of the appeal period; and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee (left knee DJD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date earlier than August 11, 2006, for the grant of a TDIU due to lack of evidence showing unemployability prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability that are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral feet or knees. A 50% rating is assigned for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the Veteran's abdominal scar, right lower quadrant abdominal scars, and left and right patellofemoral pain syndrome. The lumbar spine disability is remanded due to new evidence of worsening.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left knee tendinitis, bilateral foot disability, left ankle sprain, erectile dysfunction, urinary disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and bruxism. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disability, low back disability, tremors of the hands and legs, cold injury residuals, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examination.