Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to June 7, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and dislocated semilunar cartilage are rated, with the latter receiving a separate rating. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Board has determined that the earliest date of entitlement for the Veteran's claim is March 19, 2003, and grants service connection for a right knee condition with an effective date of that day.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, bilateral knee disabilities, and a low back disability are denied. The claims for squamous cell carcinomas of the earlobes, left hand, nose, and right forehead are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, right and left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus. The remaining issues of increased ratings for left knee, right knee, and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability is granted. The claims for increased rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for hepatitis C are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,His claim for service connection of right knee disability was reopened due to new and material evidence, but the issue remains pending with a remand for further examination.,Service connection for right knee ACL laxity with degenerative joint disease is granted. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's appeal for higher rating of lower back strain with degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, but not higher, throughout the period of the claim.,Entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia, left knee is remanded.,Entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis with internal derangement and status post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and meniscus removal is also remanded.

The Veteran's request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee condition has been granted. The claims for service connection for bulging disc in neck and lower back, hypertension, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinus condition and allergies) are remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for residuals of bilateral breast reduction, to include hypersensitive surgical scars, is granted.,Service connection for residuals of bilateral breast reduction, to include hypersensitive surgical scars, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to determine his eligibility.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including right knee, ankle, hip, and low back DJD. The claims are being reviewed due to incomplete medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened, granted. The right knee disability is related to his service-connected right leg fracture residuals and granted. Service connection for left hip disability and sleep apnea were denied. A compensable rating of 10% was assigned for the residuals of fracture in the right leg.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records, particularly those related to Active Duty Training and Inactive Duty Training.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and a low back disability, finding no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to service or the presumptive period after discharge.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and right knee condition have been remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.