Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected.,Service connection is also granted for left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, right elbow, bilateral wrist, left hip, and right hip disabilities. However, the Board has not provided a VA examination to determine whether these conditions are related to in-service motorcycle accident injuries.

The Veteran's left hip, left knee, right knee, left arm/hand, right arm/hand, and left leg disabilities are denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's left hip, left knee, right knee, left arm/hand, right arm/hand, and left leg disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, concluding that there was no evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine, right total knee replacement, left total hip replacement, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, PTSD, and TDIU are all granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to be sufficiently severe to produce unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left knee disability, left knee instability, and atrophy of the muscles of the left lower extremity due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his back disability.

The Veteran's right knee condition, including a total knee replacement, is being remanded for further evaluation and rating consideration.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his thoracolumbar spine condition was remanded. His need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was also remanded due to the lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and left hip disabilities, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain. The Veteran asserts that these conditions are related to combat injuries sustained while serving in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board grants a separate 30 percent rating for limitation of extension from April 18, 2014 to March 2, 2018 in the right knee and denies ratings in excess of 10 percent for other knee issues and asthma. Compensation for total disability based on individual unemployability prior to November 17, 2017 is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, right knee and right ankle disabilities due to lack of proper notice and scheduling for examinations. New examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right hand disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including hip, knee, ankle, back, groin pain, and heart disease, as they were not incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, with a focus on scheduling appropriate examinations due to the Veteran's incarceration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle ulcers, and for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities were denied. The denial of the left ankle ulcers claim is final as no new and material evidence was received. The right and left knee disability claims were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, left knee disability, right leg disability, sleep apnea, and IBS. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for suspected shallow refractive amblyopia in the right eye is denied. An initial minimum 10 percent rating for left knee strain with IT band syndrome due to instability and limitation of motion are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include a right knee disability, heat stroke residuals, headaches, and psychiatric disabilities.