Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left knee disorder, mood disorder (secondary), hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus and stomach disorder have been denied. The issues of increased ratings for her right knee, back, right ankle and right hip conditions, as well as service connection for sciatic nerve disorder, chronic pain disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy and limitation of flexion of the right thigh are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for knee pain and an increased rating for GERD. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and meniscal tear of the left knee, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40% rating effective February 7, 2019.,The Veteran's right knee disability remains at a 10% rating.,The Veteran's right wrist disability remains at a 0% (non-compensable) rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The left knee disability received increased ratings, with a 30% rating prior to August 26, 2006 and a 60% rating from November 1, 2007 onwards. The right thumb injury residuals also received an increase in evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his cervical spine condition is rated as 10 percent disabling. Both conditions are remanded for further review.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion to determine the nature of the Veteran's right knee disability and chronic cough condition, including whether they are related to service or other factors.

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

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, right ear hearing loss, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% effective July 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability with limitation of flexion is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating for PTSD is dismissed, and her claims for service connection for right and left knee arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right elbow disorder and an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia patella were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for the right elbow disorder, as there was no in-service diagnosis or injury related to the condition. For the left knee chondromalacia patella, the Board noted that while the Veteran had undergone surgeries and received temporary 100% ratings, his current disability rating remained at 10%. The Board also considered functional loss due to pain but found it did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right knee instability were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability prior to November 16, 2016. The Veteran testified that his symptoms had worsened since the last VA examination in June 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability prior to November 16, 2016. The Veteran testified that his symptoms had worsened since the last VA examination in June 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar strain and chronic chondromalacia patellae of the left knee, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right knee disability and depressive disorder have been granted service connection, but his tinnitus and left knee disability status post total arthroplasty remain at the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran has had issues remanded for further evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral cataracts.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left and right knee conditions, including whether they are related to service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.