Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's chronic tension headaches have been granted a 50% rating effective October 30, 2014. Prior to this date, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand disability, right hand disability, and left knee disability. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right knee as there was no evidence showing a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service right knee pain and her current diagnosed arthritis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, but needs further clarification from a VA examiner regarding a specific treatment record. The case is being sent back for this purpose.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, but needs further clarification from a VA examiner regarding a specific treatment record. The case is being sent back for this purpose.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, but needs further clarification from a VA examiner regarding a specific treatment record. The case is being sent back for this purpose.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that the current diagnoses are related to symptoms that began during active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, but needs further clarification from a VA examiner regarding a specific treatment record. The case is being sent back for this purpose.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, but needs further clarification from a VA examiner regarding a specific treatment record. The case is being sent back for this purpose.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, but needs further clarification from a VA examiner regarding a specific treatment record. The case is being sent back for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful flexion and instability, has been granted an increased rating of 20 percent effective November 22, 2011.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disorder, as it may be related to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and/or bilateral hip disabilities. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder and right hand disabilities secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The initial evaluation for left knee arthritis was denied, as were evaluations greater than 20 percent for right knee cruciate ligament instability and internal derangement prior to May 16, 2014, and from July 1, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate examinations that did not include testing as required by Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 100 percent for PTSD with residuals of TBI is dismissed. The appeals to reopen claims for service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of bilateral knees, Ischemic Heart Disease, and Hand Tremors are granted.