Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations for back disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability due to insufficient examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and for obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's right knee disorder is currently diagnosed, but its relationship to service needs further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities are reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the claims remain in remand status as further medical examination is needed to determine if his current disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and the effective date of his right knee disability service connection is denied as earlier than June 16, 2006.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss have been withdrawn.,A higher rating for the Veteran’s service-connected left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a traumatic brain injury and chronic bilateral knee disorder due to new evidence and further examination. The issues of increased rating for lumbar spine disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for a right knee condition based on new evidence of an in-service injury during basketball play. The issue is being remanded to allow further development and consideration.,The Board has also remanded the appellant's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, as it is considered inextricably intertwined with the right knee claim.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires further development to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder and left knee disorder are related to service or secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for the assignment of 10 percent ratings for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, as these claims are not properly before the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's service records, including his National Guard/Army Reserve service, must be verified, and VA treatment records from the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disorders, as well as a left knee disorder. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied.,Additional evidence received since the February 1998 rating decision supports the Veteran's claims for right and left ankle disorders and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and a right knee condition have been dismissed due to the absence of NODs with the assigned ratings. The claim for a right knee condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The GERD, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been granted.,Secondary service connection for low back disability and left hip disability related to bilateral knee disabilities is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient medical evidence. The claims will be reviewed with additional information from the Veteran and further examination.

The Veteran's initial request for a higher rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease was denied. For the period from June 19, 2006 to February 1, 2018, he received a 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion. Beginning February 1, 2018, he is rated at 30 percent for his left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a right knee disability and service connection for gout of the left great toe. The Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his in-service injury, but the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate due to an incorrect assumption about treatment during service. For gout of the left great toe, the Board found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if it was caused by or aggravated by the service-connected bunion.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as service connected. The claims for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and knee strains are remanded.

The Veteran's heart disorder is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and he was granted a 100% rating for this condition. The right knee disability claim was denied as there was no evidence of an injury during service or a nexus to service.