Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that further assistance is needed to properly adjudicate the issues on appeal, including scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and considering the claim for TDIU. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and additional development of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral knee disorders due to inadequate examinations in August 2016. The Veteran is to be provided with new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a right ankle disability and secondary service connection for a left knee disability as related to the right ankle. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed after additional evidence is obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left forearm or wrist disability and an increased rating for his left knee patella tendonitis with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Veteran's conditions were found not to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's multiple parachute jumps in service are at least as likely as not related to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of effective dates for service connection due to lack of evidence showing earlier claims. The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits based on countable income from June 2009 is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his Morton’s neuroma of the right foot and left knee disability, as the current VA examinations are inadequate. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back pain and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's skin condition, headache disability, and foot disability (bilateral pes planus) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip, knee, and low back disabilities have been granted increased ratings. The right hip disability is rated at 50% from December 1, 2015 onwards; the right knee disability is rated at 30%, 40%, and 20% from May 14, 2014 through July 7, 2016, respectively; and the low back disability is rated at 40% since May 14, 2014. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis with limitation of extension and flexion due to inadequate VA medical examinations. The Veteran needs a new VA examination that complies with Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017), and Mitchell v. Shinseki, 25 Vet. App. 32 (2011).

The Veteran's left total knee replacement and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been rated, but further examination is needed to determine appropriate disability ratings.,The Veteran's low back disability requires additional evaluation due to recent remand.

The Board denied service connection for left knee arthritis, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service. The Veteran's in-service treatment was noted but not linked to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's testimony indicating that his knee disabilities have worsened since a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's vertigo, scars of the left knee and wrist/arm, CFS, bilateral shin disabilities, frostbite residuals, and Meniere’s disease are not related to his military service.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with these conditions since separation from service but there is no evidence linking them to his time in active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine (lower back) disability and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for bilateral knees and right ankle, including as secondary to a service-connected left ankle sprain. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records and to schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection have been reopened. The Board has ordered additional examinations and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of medical evidence or opinion.