Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hand conditions (including fibromyalgia), left shoulder strain, bilateral wrist strains, and bilateral knee sprains. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also under review.

The Veteran's residuals of hysterectomy are granted, while her left ankle disability (secondary to service-connected right ankle strain), right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbar strain, major depressive disorder, and migraines remain remanded for further development.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a hernia with hydrocele was granted. The appeal for other issues were dismissed.,The Board found that new and material evidence had been received, allowing the reopening of the claim for service connection for a hernia with hydrocele.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of his service connection claims, and he has additional disabilities that may affect his employment. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence received after the initial decision is relevant to the Veteran's claims and requires further review. The Veteran must provide authorization for VA to obtain her medical records, and she will be provided an opportunity to respond.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee conditions were denied. The right knee issue was not perfected, while the left knee condition received a temporary increase to 100% prior to September 1, 2016, followed by a permanent rating of 30%. These increases did not represent total grants of benefits sought.

The Veteran's PTSD and left knee disability are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, with no further increase in rating possible. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the previously denied pes planus was granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for pes planus. However, the claims for left ankle condition, degenerative arthritis of the left hip secondary to right ankle fracture, and right knee condition with degenerative joint disease are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of left knee and left foot disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The cervical spine disability, headaches (including as a residual of TBI), and PTSD claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating codes, except for a 40 percent rating being granted beginning February 11, 2016, for thoracolumbar spine DJD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability needs to be re-evaluated.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions were not found to warrant increased ratings or service connection. His PTSD remains at 30 percent, and he does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claims for a bilateral knee disability and dental or oral condition (teeth problems) were denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw all claims on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and residuals of a left knee injury due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's lay reports.