Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied due to lack of in-service disease or injury. The new evidence received does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

Service connection for closed head trauma injury with residuals is granted. Service connection for left knee disability (claimed as a left knee injury) is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and partial ACL tear are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a new VA examination to address the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The claim for TDIU is granted with the exception of the rating reduction for right knee osteoarthritis which is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for dizzy spells, nausea, and memory loss claimed as residuals to a traumatic brain injury; a right knee condition; anemia; and a stomach disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome) due to receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Board has dismissed these matters.

The Board has not determined whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's preexisting left knee disability is not considered aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and right knee strain, as well as his TDIU claim due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in December 2011. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the severity and symptomatology of his service-connected conditions not being adequately described by the available schedular evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with service connection for a right shoulder disability and increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee disability. The rating of 40% is assigned for the period from October 13, 2015 onwards.

The Board has restored the 80% evaluation for bilateral eye pseudophakia (for decreased visual acuity) effective from September 1, 2015. The left knee disorder claim is remanded due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, rosacea, and headaches. Service connection is denied for shortness of breath.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal conditions, hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, Parkinson’s disease, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression) have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions and a back condition, but denied service connection for pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for right-knee arthritis, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for left hip and left knee disabilities, but these claims are still pending as further evidence is needed.

The Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities were not shown to be related to service, and his respiratory disorder is unrelated to service. Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of 13 issues, including service connection claims for various conditions and disability ratings. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.