Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, limitation of flexion is denied. A separate 20 percent disability rating for left knee strain, limitation of extension from September 29, 2015, through June 10, 2016, and a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee strain, limitation of extension from September 20, 2018, are granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee medial meniscectomy with posttraumatic arthritis and scar was dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to the Board issuing a final decision.

The Board denied service connection for right thumb and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and in-service injuries. The left knee disability was also denied as secondary to a nonservice-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for entitlement to increased evaluations for left knee degenerative joint disease and instability due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran will need a new examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for additional medical records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions, including any related symptoms such as buckling and weakness. The examiner will also need to determine if these symptoms are at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The left and right knee conditions are denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the service connection claims for various disorders, as the current examination did not consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, left varicocele, epistaxis (claimed as nosebleeds), and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and cause of these conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of lumbosacral strain, left rotator cuff tear with tendonitis, and left knee tendonitis. The case is now REMANDED to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any other condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is granted, with the Board finding that his current condition is related to in-service parachuting jumps.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, GERD, left knee patellar chondromalacia, and right knee patellar chondromalacia were remanded for further examination and rating considerations due to the length of time since his last examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back injury, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, TBI, and PTSD. The claims were not granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee disabilities were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied, with no worse than level III hearing loss in both ears.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted, but the initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted, while claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), heart disorder, osteopenia, cervical spine (neck) disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to the need for further examination considering the Veteran's in-service paratrooper duties.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability should be remanded to allow for further examination and analysis.