Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including lower back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle musculoskeletal conditions, skin disability, headaches, and eye disability. The examination results will determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the highest possible evaluation (100%) on and after November 26, 2014. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, upper back, right knee, sleep, bilateral foot, hearing loss (left ear), tinnitus, hypertension, acid reflux disease, and menstrual disability are all denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or a link to service.,For the specific disabilities: Right Arm Disability, Upper Back Disability, Right Knee Disability, Sleep Disability, and Bilateral Foot Disability, the Veteran does not have a current disability that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The claim for hearing loss (left ear) and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. The right knee condition and tinnitus claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination. The RO will obtain additional treatment records, schedule examinations, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee and left leg disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee conditions due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and the need for a new opinion.

A 40 percent rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is granted, while a remand is ordered for further examination and consideration of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies between the Veteran's statements and a previous VA examination, and because of new evidence indicating worsening of his left knee disability. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, heart disability, gallbladder disability, left Achilles tendon disability with bone spurs, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also requires verification of the Veteran’s dates of active service, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee and granted a TDIU effective January 23, 2018. The decision found that there was no nexus between the current left knee disability and service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to find and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds it at least equipoise that he is unable to secure such employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The right knee disability and major depressive disorder claims were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC due to his death, as the appellant was substituted as the claimant. She is now required to submit any additional evidence she may have.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, wrist, knee, ankle, and respiratory disabilities, were denied as there was no evidence of current disability or a link to service.,Service connection is also denied for an enlarged prostate and bilateral testicle disabilities.