Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep disorder, but has remanded his remaining service connection claims due to insufficient evidence. The decision also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not service-connected as they did not occur during or due to military service. However, the Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected flat feet.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus but denied for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all claims currently on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his knees are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteochondritis of the left knee was granted. The claim for a higher rating for macular hole of the left eye was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disorders have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), right wrist disorder, heart disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder. The TDIU claim is also in remand status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his record, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued before any final decision can be made.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability on a schedular basis, but found that his service-connected disability does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board concluded that the Veteran is not rendered unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability were denied. He was previously assigned a 20 percent rating, but the evidence did not support an increase to higher ratings prior to November 26, 2013. For the period from January 1, 2015, he received a 60 percent rating for his total left knee replacement, which is the highest allowed under the law.

The Veteran's appeal of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left knee, heart and skin disabilities is dismissed. Service connection for a left knee disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his neck, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities due to incomplete VA opinions and possible increased symptomatology.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is rated as noncompensable prior to November 12, 2014 and as 50 percent disabling thereafter. The Board has granted a 50% rating for the Veteran’s service-connected migraine headaches since November 11, 2009.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the adequacy of the July 2015 VA examination and to obtain a supplemental medical opinion considering the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his left knee symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and defective vision. The evidence did not establish new and material information or evidence that could trigger VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for increased rating of left knee disability prior to January 19, 2012 is denied. The claim for increased rating of left knee disability since January 19, 2012 is also denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for left knee disability. The claims for PTSD and MDS have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Prior to August 4, 2017, the Veteran's headaches are not productive of characteristic prostrating attacks, so they do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left otitis media was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for a spine disability and balance problems secondary to perforated left tympanic membrane were also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding no current disabilities related to these conditions.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back and bilateral knee disabilities.