Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, low back pain, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the lack of an adequate VA examination during the appeal period and changes in evaluation criteria.

The Board has restored a 30 percent disability rating for right knee strain from February 1, 2014 to April 15, 2015 as the evidence did not make it reasonably certain that improvement would be maintained under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post traumatic arthritis of right knee and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine are remanded due to insufficient evidence. A new examination is required to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral knee, low back, and left pelvic arthritis. The remand requires VA examinations to explore etiology and exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees with degenerative joint disease, and depression due to in-service noise exposure and service-connected arthritis of the back.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected right knee disability is remanded due to incomplete examination and lack of specific range of motion findings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities, including an examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorder, hypertension, right knee disability, left and right foot disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, right knee and foot disabilities, joint pain, muscle pain, poor circulation of the legs, and burns. The claims were not reopened or granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence and requires further medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The Board has remanded several of his increased rating claims for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and the need for additional private medical records. The issues of rating adjustments, service connection, and other claims are all pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for his knee disabilities due to inadequate rationale in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left knee disorders are granted. The claims for service connection for right hip and left hip disorders are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected low back, bilateral radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities are causing him to require regular aid and assistance. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to an increased rating for arthritis of the left knee from August 29, 2013 to June 25, 2015. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to service or in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, except for a denial of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, anxiety and PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection were not filed within one year of his separation from active duty, and thus the effective dates for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's left elbow, right ankle, and right knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran's bilateral pinguecula is also being remanded.,A temporary total rating for the Veteran's right knee disability cannot be decided without first addressing his other service-connected conditions.