Knee decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for chronic bilateral osteoarthritis of the knee, finding that the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye condition, finding that the Veteran's current cataracts are less likely as not caused by or the result of his in-service facial/cornea burns.,The Board also denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition, concluding that the Veteran's DJD is not as least as likely as not related to his complaints of pain during service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's previous claims of diabetes mellitus have also been remanded due to issues with verifying his dates of active duty.

The Board has determined that, with the benefit of the doubt resolved in your favor, you are entitled to service connection for a left knee disability as it is proximately due to or the result of your service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of left knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of a right knee condition and an increased rating claim for lumbar paravertebral myositis. As a result, the Board dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been granted service connection. However, the Veteran's GERD has not been linked to his service-connected PTSD or any other condition, and a remand is ordered for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-TKA right knee disability and his TDIU claim were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board had jurisdiction of the issue of TDIU at the time of its November 2015 decision that denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with calluses. The Veteran's unemployability was reasonably raised by the record in the context of his increased rating claim, and the case is now remanded to consider TDIU as an element of the July 2009 increased rating claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and headache disorder are all found to be related to his service. The claims for glaucoma, heart disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, asthma, and hemorrhoids due to missing or incomplete service medical records. The Veteran is advised of alternative sources of evidence she can submit in place of these records.

An increased rating of 60 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is granted from September 28, 1999 to September 22, 2009.,From September 23, 2009, an initial increased rating of 40 percent for the Veteran’s low back disability is granted. The rating remains at 40 percent after February 1, 2013.,An initial increased rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve neuropathy) is granted from September 23, 2009.,An initial increased rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve neuropathy) is granted from September 23, 2009.,Prior to February 12, 2008, the Veteran’s left knee disability was rated at 20 percent under DC 5258 for dislocated semilunar cartilage. From February 12, 2008, an increased rating of 10 percent is granted under DC 5259 for symptomatic meniscus removal residuals.,From September 28, 1999 to present, the Veteran’s left knee instability is rated at 20 percent under DC 5257.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his back and right knee conditions, as the medical opinions provided do not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a link between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's left knee disorder needs further evaluation, including an opinion on its etiology and relationship to service-connected back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case will be returned for further adjudication with a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right ankle disabilities, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, hip disabilities, foot disabilities, diabetic retinopathy, shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, heart disorder, and psychiatric disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any of these conditions.