Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating and TDIU due to procedural issues and the need for additional development of his right knee condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various issues due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal. The claims include increased ratings and effective date determinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient reasoning and lack of adequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5257, which pertains to recurrent subluxation or lateral instability of the knee. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service despite negative VA opinions. The decision affords the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities due to new evidence received more than one year after the previous decisions. However, these claims are still being remanded as additional medical opinions are needed regarding the severity of the right knee disability and whether any other conditions are related to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, bilateral ankle, back, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's contentions of in-service injury are considered.

The Board denied an increased rating for limitation of flexion of the left knee, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a Medical Board review. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and other conditions contributed to his death from acute fentanyl intoxication.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to injuries sustained during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, right hip condition and left hip condition due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left total knee arthroplasty and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities, resulted in permanent effective loss of use of one or both feet. The Board granted eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile due to this finding.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's back condition was aggravated by his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,His left knee condition manifested within one year of separation from service and is directly related to his active duty service, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.,The Board also denied the claim for TDIU as the Veteran did not have his employment precluded by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims, including new examinations and records review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for severe headaches and right knee disorder have been reopened, but the cases are still pending as they need further examination to determine if there is a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to military service. The Veteran contends his current right knee disability is related to an injury during basic training, but there are conflicting medical records and no recent VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 20 percent, effective November 13, 2019. A separate 10 percent rating for left-knee instability is granted since February 7, 2007.,A 10 percent rating for right-knee chondromalacia patella is granted as of March 22, 2010.