Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability due to the lack of evidence of a current diagnosis. The cases of bilateral foot and hip disabilities, as well as PTSD, are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The limitation of extension associated with the arthritis also does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his in-service injuries and current conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition was incurred in or caused by his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence on file, including post-service treatment records. The case is sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative changes were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability, as the current VA examination did not include all required testing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records, including VA treatment notes from Palo Alto and Martinez. The Board will consider whether her right knee disability is related to her left knee disability and if her varicose veins are secondary to her left leg varicose veins.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist before a final adjudication of the Veteran's claims can be accomplished. The Veteran’s service treatment records show treatment and diagnoses for some of the claimed conditions, but there are gaps in her medical history since she left active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a cardiac disability, including heart disease. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and determination of their relationship to service. The compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2013 for tinnitus was denied as there were no earlier claims filed.,Claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were dismissed due to lack of appeal within one year of the assigned effective dates.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 7, 2012 for bilateral knee osteoarthritis was also dismissed as there were no earlier claims filed.,Claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder disability, and left arm disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability is remanded as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that have not been associated with his claims file.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability is also remanded, and a psychiatric examination is needed to determine the relationship between current psychiatric disorders and service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease warrants a remand for further development, including an examination to assess the severity of his condition and any flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its May 2018 remand and, therefore, it may not proceed with a determination on the merits at this time. The Veteran's right knee condition and scar are both being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his joint disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been rated at 10 percent each, based on painful motion. The low back disorder has been rated at 20 percent.,The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant increased ratings for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities due to unclear diagnoses in the VA examinations and lack of nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for a clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's shingles, as there is evidence suggesting it may be related to in-service eye problems. The other claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders are denied.