Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating greater than 10 percent for his left knee condition is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives and requires additional development for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected left ankle, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on functional loss or additional impairment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of an adjustment disorder, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability.,Service connection was denied for a left shoulder grinding condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The effective date claim is denied as there was no pending formal or informal claim prior to April 11, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for flatfeet was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,A rating higher than 30 percent for bronchial asthma is also denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders have been remanded due to new evidence. A rating of 50 percent has been granted for migraine headaches, effective from the date of decision.

The Veteran's chronic headaches have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,His claim for a higher evaluation for tinnitus has been denied, with the highest possible rating already assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee disability, and also remanded his increased rating claims for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is granted a 50 percent rating. The left knee arthritis and instability, as well as the lumbar spine disability, are remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is denied as it does not qualify as a compensable disability.,Service connection for lumbar sprain, bilateral knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea is denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claim for morbid obesity is denied because obesity is not considered a compensable disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure is remanded as the relationship between current diagnoses and in-service chest pain needs further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendonitis and a compensable rating for right knee instability prior to March 6, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The case is being returned to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating for his back disorder, right knee disorder, TBI residuals, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for instability, and from December 2017 the rating has been increased to 30 percent for limitation of flexion. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on extension.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndromes as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability. The cervical disorder and major depression with anxious mood are also granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand disabilities, as well as his left knee disability, were granted. The decision also noted that a new examination was needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, lumbar DJD, right ankle osteoarthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis have been granted as secondary to her bilateral calluses.,Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder has not been established.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial compensable evaluations for right and left knee tricompartmental arthritis with limitation of extension due to incomplete development in the current evaluation.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, manifested by joint pain in the feet, knees, hands, back and neck, is granted service connection.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for various bilateral and single joint conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.