Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left wrist disorder and a fractured little finger were denied. His increased ratings for knee disabilities were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition and a right knee condition, as well as the issue regarding the character of discharge during the Veteran's third period of active service. The incomplete service personnel records need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's left knee disability, sinusitis, residuals of left index and long finger surgery, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and left index and middle finger scarring are all under review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and rating considerations. The issues include increased ratings for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and scars.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's OSA first manifested during service and was incurred therein. Service connection for OSA is granted. The Board also finds that there are issues with respect to the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and right ankle disorders due to lack of probative value of previous VA examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine and tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 8, 2014 for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The right and left knee conditions are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is found to be the primary cause of his residuals of left femur fracture and left ankle sprain. The issues regarding rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, limitation of flexion of the left knee, and left ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify all periods of service and obtain any available service treatment records (STRs) and service personnel records (SPRs).

The Board has granted service connection for a scar, residual of a laceration of the right thigh. However, there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment of the Veteran's right knee to warrant service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the RO not readjudicating them after additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's status post total left knee replacement with scars is granted a disability rating of 60 percent, effective from November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened, but the Board is remanding it to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and the need for updated VA treatment records.