Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is presumed to have Gulf War exposure.

Your appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are necessary to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remain pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain records and for an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and muscle spasms is granted.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by DJD, was rated at 10 percent prior to December 11, 2018. The appeal is denied as the condition did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and a new medical opinion to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as new opinions regarding the etiology of her bruxism, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for his spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from SSA. The left knee strain claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the spine disability claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine headaches. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee disabilities and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess her current right knee disability severity, including any instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right knee DJD is related to his service-connected left knee DJD and whether a preexisting right leg fracture aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).,Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain outstanding SSA records related to the appellant's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and osteochondritis dissecans of the right knee do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as she has maintained part-time employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the effective date of the award of service connection for PTSD could not be earlier than September 18, 2013, when the Veteran first met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied as without legal merit. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and addressing her claims for PTSD and sleep apnea.