Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, lumbar spondylosis and lumbar degenerative joint disease, and arthritis of the left knee.,Further, the appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's March 2011 left knee surgery was not performed on a service-connected disability, and therefore he is not entitled to a temporary total rating for convalescence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities, as well as her claim for a TDIU based on her neurological disorder, are denied. The case is remanded to obtain updated evidence for the right leg/foot involvement of L5/S1 dermatome with abnormal sensation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has ordered the remand of several issues including neurological disorders, psychiatric disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 13, 2010 are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, generalized arthritis, respiratory disability, right knee disability (TKR), and left knee disability (TKR) due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated based on their relationship to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of right and left knee disorders, but has remanded these issues due to need for further medical examination. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for a 2007 annual VA clothing allowance is denied because he does not have a service-connected disability warranting the use of a cane or qualifying knee brace.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, but additional medical records are needed to make a determination. The VA also needs to provide proper notification for this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals for right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder, and outstanding records are requested.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for left knee osteoarthritis and partial arthroplasty was denied as his convalescence did not meet the criteria after November 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to a lack of continuity in medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions. The issues include reopening a claim for headaches, service connection for diabetes mellitus, muscle twitching in arms and legs secondary to diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and tuberculosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left arm neuropathy, and low back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left knee arthralgia, and left foot arthralgia are found to be disabling enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. His TDIU is granted as of February 16, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence after the May 2018 denial. The AOJ is required to readjudicate the claims and provide appropriate VA examinations.