Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder, lumbar spine, and right knee degenerative arthritis have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee DJD, initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and facial scar disability, and chest scar disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a collapsed lung is also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a sinus condition, a 2" scar to the left knee, generalized anxiety disorder, and entitlement to a compensable rating for middle finger pain of the left hand.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim prior to August 24, 2011. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA treatment records, private medical records, and employment information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo with dizziness has been dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent effective April 29, 2018.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition are all pending and need further evaluation by a VA medical professional.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied as there is no evidence of helplessness or inability to protect oneself from daily hazards.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection. The appeal is also remanded for further examination regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee ACL tears with osteoarthritis and instability due to inadequate examination, requiring a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability have been denied. The current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as a back disorder due to secondary effects of service-connected left ankle disability. Additional evidence is needed to determine the existence and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a right knee disorder related to service. The Veteran's in-service injury during basic training needs to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the previous medical opinions and a need for new evidence. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being evaluated again to determine if it is related to her service or secondary to her service-connected left hip tendonitis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The cases of left knee, right knee, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further development. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) remains in dispute.

The Veteran's left knee residual surgical scar, which is painful and contributes to his inability to stand, walk, or run for a long period of time with acute attack, has been granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right lower extremity radiculopathy and its impact on daily activities. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disorder is referred to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent for left knee partial removal of the medial meniscus, in excess of 20 percent for right knee meniscus tear and in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses of thoracolumbar spine disability and right knee disability, and whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has added new evidence to the record and finds that remand is necessary for further development on multiple service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death and if his ventricular tachycardia had its onset in service or was otherwise related to a disease or injury in service, including ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted.