Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected restless leg syndrome is granted a 20 percent rating effective March 1, 2009. The case is remanded for further development regarding left knee instability and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and an ear disorder due to insufficient examination findings regarding whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis, left knee with limitation of flexion is denied. The Veteran's PTSD ratings are also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, left knee condition, right knee condition, dental condition to include dental abscesses, and depressive disorder. The evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The application to reopen a claim for service connection for a right knee and leg disorder is granted. The application to reopen a claim for service connection for a headache disorder is also granted, but the claim for service connection for a headache disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches are service-connected. However, the Veteran's left wrist disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records and potential VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition.,His Raynaud's phenomenon and vertigo are also related to his service.

The Veteran's motion to restore the ratings for left and right knee disabilities from 10 percent to 10 percent is granted, effective December 1, 2008.

The Board is remanding two issues related to unauthorized medical expenses. The main issue is the pending service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar strain. The Board will address these claims after resolving the pending NOD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disability and a right knee condition, both of which he contends are secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for his left knee disability has been dismissed. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's recent knee examination and the lack of VA treatment records. The claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied a compensable disability rating, and the Board found that the evidence did not support a history of diastolic blood pressure predominantly 100 mm. or more requiring continuous medication.,Effective dates for increased ratings were granted for left knee patellar subluxation and right knee patellofemoral strain with osteoarthritis and chondromalacia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, low back, left hip, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, left hip and low back disabilities, and TDIU due to issues with the evaluations of his service-connected conditions and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left hip and right knee conditions are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.,Service connection for a right hip condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection remain pending. The Board finds that further development is needed to address the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of extension, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of flexion, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of adduction and rotation, a compensable rating for right knee osteoarthritis, a compensable rating for left foot plantar fasciitis, and a compensable rating for left great toe osteoarthritis.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also pending. The Board finds that further development is needed to address the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of extension, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of flexion, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of adduction and rotation, a compensable rating for right knee osteoarthritis, a compensable rating for left foot plantar fasciitis, and a compensable rating for left great toe osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, back and neck conditions, OSA, knee disorders, and hypertension. The Veteran's request for a DRO hearing remains pending.