Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees, instability of the knees, and service connection for atypical chest pain have been remanded. The current rating for each knee is 10%.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has secured and follows a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's back condition, osteoarthritis of the hips, knees, ankles, and feet were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period. The disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for Parkinsonism disease is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral plantar fascitis, right groin strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and atrophy of the left kidney with cyst.

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

The Veteran's sleep apnea, PTSD, bronchitis, migraines, left knee tendonitis, tinnitus, right knee tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis are service-connected. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, right hand/finger disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), back disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The Board has also determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left eye disability was withdrawn, and his increased rating claims were dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and right shoulder conditions. The Veteran also had a claim for service connection for a right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy which was previously adjudicated as numbness and tingling or right upper extremity.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees is found to be related to his military service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, nephrolithiasis, neck disability, right knee arthritis, and symptomatic residuals of a right knee meniscectomy are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a separate rating for right knee instability effective October 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and rating determinations on multiple issues, including service connection for heart disorder, increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, limited and painful motion of the right knee, impairment of the right thigh, and limitation of flexion of the right thigh.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to new evidence received by the Veteran.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella and granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee arthritis. The claims for service connection for CFS, left knee disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), glaucoma as due to DM, and asthma were all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient information in the previous VA opinion. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the right knee disability issue. The decision on the right knee disability is pending further development.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis and denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claim for left knee disability was granted with an effective date of January 13, 1983. From October 24, 2013 to December 17, 2014, the Veteran received a rating of 20 percent for his left knee cartilage condition.