Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in October 2017 did not sufficiently address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service onset of symptoms and the use of ill-fitting footwear. The claim is being remanded for additional VA examinations to consider all evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis in both knees, a right-hand condition, bilateral cataracts (claimed as vision impairment), and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision does not specify any exposure basis or indicate whether the case involves the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis is dismissed. The Veteran's head scar and related migraine headaches are granted service connection, but the neck disability and right knee disability remain remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for temporary total evaluations based on his service-connected left knee and right foot disabilities have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 26, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral arterial disease, loss of left leg below the knee, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have all been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and spine disabilities due to new medical evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.,New evidence supports reopening of the Veteran’s claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, right elbow, left wrist, right wrist, left knee, right knee, left ankle, cervical spine, and lumbar disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for skin cancer due to radiation exposure and herbicide agents as the Veteran withdrew his request. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of new evidence, and review of existing VA Vocational Rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, right knee strain, left knee strain, cervical strain prior to June 17, 2016, and lumbosacral strain from June 17, 2016 due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's residuals of stroke are at least as likely as not related to in-service head trauma or aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disability due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination and the need for a new one.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities to obtain a new VA examination. The current rating decisions are being reviewed due to the inadequacy of the August 2019 VA examination report.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for left knee DJD prior to February 17, 2010 is granted. A higher rating is denied after that date.,The Veteran's initial 20% rating for left shoulder disorder is denied.,A higher schedular rating for right hip disability after February 2010 is denied.,A higher schedular rating for lumbar spine disability from November 2009 onwards is denied.,A higher schedular rating for right lower extremity sciatica prior to March 5, 2014 is denied. A higher schedular rating after that date is also denied.,A higher schedular rating for left lower extremity sciatica is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to the current disability element.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee disability is being remanded as there is new evidence suggesting a relationship between her in-service miscarriage and residuals, and her current condition.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to her in-service running activities which may have contributed to the development of her current foot conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is being remanded as there is new evidence suggesting a relationship between her in-service running activities and her current condition.,The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar strain are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to the nexus element.