Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from a VA Form 21-4142 authorization.

The Veteran's ingrown toenails of the left big toe are granted service connection. The skin condition of the right big toe is denied service connection. Service connection for a left knee disability and migraine headaches is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as shingles due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his hip, knee, ankle, lumbar spine, and radiculopathy conditions. The claims are also remanded for a rating in excess of the current 10 percent ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and right ankle.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right knee DJD and erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and heart disease, including the medications taken to treat DM and heart disease, is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, respiratory disability, CTS, heart disability, fibromyalgia, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating effective June 11, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical examination regarding whether the left knee disability is proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% disability rating.,VA has determined that the Veteran’s back disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 20%. The VA examination report is inadequate due to missing range of motion testing.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied an earlier effective date prior to May 28, 2014. The case is being remanded for the Director of VA's Compensation Service to determine if the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is not the cause of his lumbar spine and hip disabilities. The Board denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right hip, as well as a higher rating for medial-lateral instability of the right knee associated with right knee meniscectomy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis and basal cell carcinoma due to potential issues with medical nexus opinions and lack of relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's bilateral trochanteric pain syndrome (hip condition) has been granted service connection due to its undiagnosed nature. The left knee chondromalacia patellae and sinusitis have not met the criteria for a higher rating, while anal fissures and tinea corporis with tinea capital have received appropriate ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain with degenerative joint disease, left knee strain, and right knee strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent allegations of injuries during his time as a paratrooper in the Army.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is granted. The issue of service connection for the same condition is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings is REMANDED due to outstanding VA treatment records, inadequate examination reports, and issues not addressed in the Statement of the Case.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is also REMANDED as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left knee disorder were not shown until years after service, and the Board found no evidence of a link to service. The lumbar spine disorder is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's bilateral leg condition and obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection and higher ratings for residuals of right and left total knee replacements were denied. The case was also remanded for further action regarding a claim for TDIU.