Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee injury, urinary frequency/retention, left foot numbness, and right foot numbness due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with a new medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and depression were denied. The right and left knee disabilities are rated as 10 percent each under Diagnostic Code 5257, which pertains to instability of the knees. The back disability is rated as 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5243. The Veteran's initial rating for his depression prior to September 26, 2018, was denied.

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities, to include as secondary to back or neck disabilities, is remanded.

The Veteran's liver disorder and stroke were denied service connection as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to his military service.,Service connection for the left-hand condition, right-hand arthritis, right knee arthritis, left leg disorder, right hip disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder (claimed as back condition) were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The jungle rash was also denied as there is no evidence it is related to the Veteran's service.,Service connection for hypertension was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and possible worsening of his hearing loss symptoms.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal to obtain additional government records, including Social Security disability claim and treatment records.,The reopening of a claim for service connection for low back disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for low back disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 2, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to a lack of current disability diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic low back disorder, psoriasis, right knee disability, and right lower extremity disability (including shin splints) have been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development regarding the right knee and right lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for residuals of lumbar strain, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran was already assigned a 10 percent rating for each knee due to painful motion.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made. The issues of service connection for left leg radiculopathy and right leg radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for stress disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted, with the disability considered secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at their maximum allowable levels. His knee disabilities and other conditions remain under review.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of medical nexus, as the evidence did not show that any current disability was caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for bilateral knee condition, specifically related to an in-service assault and a fall during a run.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right knee disabilities have been granted ratings of 10 percent, but no greater. The left shoulder disability is rated for musculoligamentous strain with DJD, while the right knee patellofemoral syndrome and musculoligamentous strain with DJD are rated for limitation of motion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for left and right knee replacements.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more detailed examination of his left knee disability, including pain levels during range of motion tests.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to conflicting evidence regarding employment status and a need for further examination to assess occupational impairment.