Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee arthritis, a foot disability (plantar fibromatosis), and lower spine arthritis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 16, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need to obtain additional medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also being remanded as it is dependent on the outcome of his other claims.

The Board has dismissed the issues of increased disability ratings for lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities. The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to lack of evidence addressing their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of reopening service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, and back disabilities due to incomplete information from a VA provider.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent, and her constrictive bronchiolitis with exercise induced asthma was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 31, 2016, and then increased to 60 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and several joint conditions, require the need for aid and attendance due to his inability to dress himself and manage his daily needs.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from November 13, 2017. The Board has remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims for low back and bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, right ankle, left hand, right hand, left knee, and right knee has been granted.,Service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lower back and neck have also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence, and requests additional VA treatment records and a private physician's opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and inconsistent evidence regarding knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition was reopened, and he is now entitled to an increased rating of 30% for his right knee patellofemoral syndrome. His PTSD symptoms have been rated at the highest available level (70%) since July 24, 2012. The Veteran has also been granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the knees and legs, tendonitis of the knees, a bilateral foot disability, residuals of a cold weather injury (frostbite), skin disorder (eczema), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's preexisting flat feet were not aggravated by service, and his current symptoms are attributable to intercurrent causes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records from Washington, DC and Norfolk, Virginia. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be affected by the outcome of the other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition, lower back condition, left hip condition, and bilateral knee condition. The issues were not remanded but rather denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA medical records, SSA records, worker's compensation information, and further examination if warranted. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain relevant records. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, knee, stress fractures, hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorders, and migraines.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for left knee DJD. However, the issue of whether the Veteran's left knee DJD is aggravated by his service-connected right knee DJD or lumbar spine arthritis remains pending.