Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her in-service duties.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted, as the evidence shows that his current condition is related to his active duty service. The issue of secondary service connection is moot due to the grant on the direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate previous examinations. The claims for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded because new opinions are needed. Other claims such as joint pain, cough, GERD, headaches, nerve disability, PTSD with depression, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations. The issues include dental, jaw, right knee, skin, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia, but remanded the service connection claim for a left hip disability as new evidence was added to the record.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and a pulmonary condition including COPD, claiming as chronic cough. The Veteran's left knee arthritis was not shown to be chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology.,The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary condition including COPD, claiming as chronic cough. The Veteran's current pulmonary condition was diagnosed many years after service and is less likely related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder. The VA examinations provided in response to previous remands did not adequately address the medical opinions submitted by private physicians supporting the Veteran's claims. Additionally, relevant treatment records from Dr. J.M. have not been obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for updated VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Effective date determinations will be addressed separately.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip condition and a bilateral knee condition, finding no current disability in either case. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left hip replacement, right hip replacement, right knee replacement, and left knee replacement are granted as they were incurred during active service. The claims for left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis and right shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was denied in April 2014, but reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic right knee disorder related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension on October 16, 2014, along with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The effective date is set at October 16, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs. The right knee condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder (secondary to right knee disorder), duodenal ulcer rating, and inguinal herniorrhaphy residuals. Additional VA treatment records are needed, and SSA records should be requested.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's pes planus is rated at 50% disabling.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, GERD, headaches (including migraines), hypertension, TBI residuals, seizures, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right and left shoulder disorders, right and left wrist disorders, elbow bursitis, bilateral hand disorder, knee disorders, eye disorder, sinus disorder with nose bleeds, and face trauma have all been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not met the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability, as there is evidence suggesting an increase in severity since the last examination.