Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back disability and right knee disability.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, right knee strain, and insomnia are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and granted an initial rating of 10% for degenerative changes of the left knee, effective from May 25, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be adjudicated, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling VA examinations to assess current severity of service-connected disabilities, and considering extraschedular considerations for some issues.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for right and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and he is now entitled to increased ratings for his left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The appeal regarding the low back disorder, left hip condition, right hip condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, impairment of intellectual functioning, acquired psychiatric disorder (including a mood disorder and depression), and individual unemployability has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation, specifically regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and the severity of his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to clarify the Veteran's prior surgeries and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Veteran's right knee replacement is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and secondary service connection for a right knee disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed due to lack of chronicity from service to diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The cases of residuals of broken nose and joint pain are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inconsistencies in medical opinions regarding the onset and causation of the Veteran's right knee disorder, as well as the relationship between his right and left knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder due to incomplete factual premise and lack of recent medical evidence. A new VA examination is needed to determine if his current right knee disorders are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for recognition of J.E.R. as a helpless child of a Veteran on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18 due to lack of timely filing of a Substantive Appeal. The appeals for service connection for cervical spine disability and right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a right knee disability and whether it is secondary to left femur fracture. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as they are reflected in the disability ratings assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee tendonitis. The issues of severance of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis with degenerative arthritis (DJD) of the left knee and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right knee due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, right knee arthralgia, heart murmur, and bilateral ankle disorder as these issues were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety/depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated as 20 percent disabling, and the claims for higher ratings for his right knee and left knee osteoarthritis are remanded. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU is also remanded.