Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability and bilateral knee condition. The cases are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee condition and its relationship to his service-connected right knee disability.

The reduction of the rating for the right knee disability from 40% to 20% was improper, and the original 40% rating is restored as of February 1, 2014.

The Veteran's left hip disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is not etiologically related to his active service. The evidence does not establish a current left knee disorder.,The residuals of dental surgery during active service are not a disability for which the Veteran can receive compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The Veteran's sinus disability, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, is granted. The right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. The obstructive sleep apnea claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his bilateral knee disorder and sleep apnea. His skin disability ratings are denied, but he has a new rating of 20 percent for painful scars since May 5, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DM, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder were denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder), sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of motion, and residual scar have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires remand for several issues, including right ear hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the left knee as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine L5-S1. The Veteran is also required to undergo additional examinations for his right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's claims of secondary service connection for back and hip disabilities, as well as neck disability, have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for traumatic left knee below-joint amputation is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including those from private rehabilitation treatment, and to provide a new opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and an increased rating for residuals of right ankle sprain. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran’s current right knee or right ankle disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for pes planus (claimed as left flatfoot) was denied because the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left knee disability was also denied because the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to May 14, 2012. The remand requires additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service symptoms of knee pain.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability and granted service connection. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected right flat foot disorder is a causative factor with respect to his right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, symptomatic removal/dislocation of semilunar cartilage in the knees, and limitation of extension have been denied. The RO has assigned maximum schedular ratings for these conditions.