Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's SMC based on need for aid and attendance was improperly discontinued, and the appeal is granted.

The Board has decided that service connection for a left knee disability is granted, but the decision on headaches remains pending and needs to be remanded.

The Veteran's right middle finger disability is denied a rating greater than 10 percent. The Veteran's right knee disability before October 28, 2014, and instability of the right knee are granted separate ratings. Bilateral hearing loss remains service-connected but without a compensable rating.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for service connection of a right knee disorder, and the Board dismissed it as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip trochanteric bursitis, right hip trochanteric bursitis, and a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the November 2013 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, heat stroke, right knee condition, left knee condition, rib(s) condition, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition is remanded due to incomplete STRs.

The Board has granted service connection for total knee arthroplasty, right knee and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and a left knee condition secondary to the claimed flat feet condition due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection for a right knee disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to his right knee.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to new evidence received since the January 1998 rating decision. The Veteran's claims are reopened, but a VA examination is needed to determine if her current knee disabilities are related to her active service.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied as it did not manifest within a year of service or is otherwise attributable to the Veteran’s service. The right wrist, left wrist, right hand, left hand, right elbow, and left elbow conditions were remanded due to secondary service connection theory. The left knee condition was also remanded for secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and left knee instability are granted, with a separate 10% rating for the left knee instability effective from March 12, 2013. The degenerative joint disease of the left knee is rated at 10%. No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee condition may be related to his military service, but needs further evidence and examination to confirm this.

The Veteran's disability rating for service-connected post-patellofemoral arthroplasty of the left knee was reduced from 30% to noncompensable effective June 1, 2014. The appeal is granted as the reduction in rating was proper.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral shin splints.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Right ankle strain and residuals of right ankle fracture with surgical repair are denied as secondary to two service-connected right foot disabilities.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right trapezius muscle strain prior to April 21, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is also remanded. Her claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip acetabulum labrum tear is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and psychiatric disorders have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.