Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee condition is being remanded for further evaluation and clarification of her service connection claim.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's stroke residuals are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current evaluations accurately reflect the symptoms identified, with no higher ratings warranted based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's left knee disability due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete development and lack of a nexus opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left shoulder, back, right knee, or left knee disorders. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervicalgia with bulging disc and DDD, as well as scoliosis, DDD and DJD with arthritic changes prior to June 12, 2015 were denied. The criteria for these conditions have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, and depression have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is also denied.

The appeals of the Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia and tinea versicolor are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection for left groin nerve damage (claimed as left inguinal hernia repair) is granted. The Veteran has sensory impairment, tenderness, and pain as residuals of his left inguinal hernia surgery.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, erectile dysfunction, chronic pain disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, diverticulitis with hiatal hernia and GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and hypothyroidism are all remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Barrett's esophagus is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it had onset within one year of separation from active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.,The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an initial rating has also been denied.

The Board denied service connection for mixed type headache disorder and bilateral knee PFS disability, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities based on evidence that is at least in equipoise with the claim. The Board found that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's knees are inadequate and remands the case to schedule a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions related to his military service.

The appeals concerning the reopening of service connection for various hip and knee disabilities, as well as secondary service connection for shoulder and elbow conditions, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that new and relevant service treatment records have been submitted, necessitating a de novo review of the claims for service connection. A VA examination is required to determine if any diagnosed disabilities are related to active service.