Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, neck, and bilateral foot disabilities did not occur or are not related to service.,For his left knee disability, there is no evidence of a current disability in service records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of chondromalacia right knee and increased rating for left arm scar.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions related to PTSD and herbicide exposure. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking TDIU, but this claim is dismissed as moot since he already receives a 100% disability rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new evidence. Effective September 22, 2014, the Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, left knee, and right knee conditions due to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself remains denied.,Service connection for right knee arthritis is also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether his preexisting condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and lumbar spine DDD have been granted service connection, but the initial rating for lumbar spine DDD remains at 20 percent. The claim is remanded to obtain a new VA examination for the lumbar spine DDD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate previous examinations and the need for clarification of his current condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, and back disability have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his right knee, right thigh injury, and right ear hearing loss disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee and right ankle disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are remanded due to inadequate examinations and missing medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities, including arthroscopic surgery, instability, and scars, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and entitlement to TDIU as the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new VA medical examination to evaluate the nature and severity of his condition, including during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete STRs and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and to obtain additional medical records. The issues include cervical spine disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, heart murmur, and secondary polycythemia have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for secondary polycythemia.,Service connection is denied for cervical spine disorder, heart murmur, and wrist osteoarthritis (secondary to carpal tunnel syndrome).