Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and will seek additional treatment records for a planned left total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left knee disability and right knee disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and record development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee pain is productive of functional impairment and whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or resulting from an injury, illness, or event during his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability (pes planus) was also denied as it existed prior to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand disability, right knee condition, hypertension, stab in the belt area, and shoulder conditions due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.,There is no clear indication that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied a higher rating for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to August 5, 2010, or after that date.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current knee disabilities and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for right knee degenerative joint disease is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for right knee instability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and her military service.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the issues related to the left knee disability, including TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the provided evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, and heart condition (CAD) were reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claims for heart condition (CAD) and right knee disability remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination in June 2012 and that he should be scheduled for a new examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected left lower extremity and hip conditions. The RO is also instructed to obtain all records from the Gulf Coast Medical Center related to treatment for his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with effusion, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period and did not manifest to a compensable degree. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is not adequate to render a decision on the Veteran's entitlement claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee patellar tendonitis. A new examination is necessary to decide the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to newly informed standards under Saunders v. Wilkie, which overruled Sanchez-Benitez v. West. The Veteran's right knee condition is related to his service and may be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except bilateral foot and toenail fungus is dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before these claims can be decided.