Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than September 24, 2009, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board also remanded issues regarding a higher evaluation for his left knee and extension of a temporary total disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to assess his left knee, right hip, and left hip conditions due to inadequate testing in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's right middle finger disability is granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher. The claims for left hand, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The claim for secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain with arthritis, right knee disability, and right leg disability has been remanded due to the need for additional development.,An effective date of December 28, 2004 is granted for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain with arthritis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right hip and right knee disabilities as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is granted. The issue of whether the right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, a right knee disorder, and a sleep disorder. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection rather than presumptive service connection due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation since January 22, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU based on the PTSD disability. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined 100 percent schedular rating for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a low back disability was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to support the claim.,Service connection for neck disability was denied as there is no evidence of current disability related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new evidence indicating a worsening of the Veteran's left knee and back disorders. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisystem illness related to Gulf War service is denied.,Claims for increased ratings and effective dates are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbar strain with degenerative changes based on the Veteran's credible statements about an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability has been dismissed as the issue is no longer in dispute due to an October 2015 rating decision granting service connection for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet (also claimed as jungle rot of the feet and legs).,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral knee disorder remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, including a separate rating of 10 percent for instability.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for substance abuse was denied as the Veteran's depression is not considered to be due to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis but denied claims for left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral elbow rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and an eye disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The issues include increased rating for myocardial infarction, service connection for right and left knee disabilities, and TDIU.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the entire period on appeal.,Service connection for a back condition (right sacroiliac strain) is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee conditions, but has remanded the cases of respiratory and heart disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, degenerative joint disease, right knee, and left knee due to incomplete examination opinions and need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.