Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral knee instability and chondromalacia due to incomplete findings in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left hip disabilities, are at least as likely as not related to active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for left knee strain with patellofemoral syndrome, including on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of his right foot, finding that he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hand condition and bilateral foot pain are now granted service connection. However, the claim for a bilateral knee condition is remanded due to conflicting diagnoses.,Service connection has been established for chest pain as a result of an in-service diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his left knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral shin splint disabilities are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's left knee condition is granted service connection as it is related to his service-connected right hip disability.,Service connection for the Veteran's back condition and left hip condition are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and no effective date earlier than April 8, 2014, was assigned.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his lumbar spine, left hip arthritis, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew the issues with full understanding of the consequences.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left lower extremity disability, including foot drop and below-the-knee amputation, may be related to his August 2008 hip arthroplasty. However, due to a lack of informed consent documentation and incomplete treatment records, the Board finds it necessary to remand for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records, schedule the Veteran for examinations, and provide more definitive nexus opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder. The Veteran underwent a total right knee replacement in 2003, and he believes it was related to injuries sustained during active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-operative residuals and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 20 percent effective April 14, 2009. The issues of increased ratings for the neck disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy are denied. TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 6260 already applies.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension) are remanded, while service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee remains pending.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical strain, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, and left knee disability. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for a right shoulder disorder was granted. The claims for increased ratings of the left hand, left knee, and right knee were remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation. A TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's left hip disability was granted a 70% evaluation from April 1, 2010 to March 30, 2014. From March 31, 2014 to August 26, 2014, the Veteran received a 100% evaluation due to surgical treatment necessitating convalescence. On and after October 1, 2015, the Veteran's left hip disability was granted a 50% evaluation.