Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The issues include bilateral knee conditions, cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, bilateral ankle conditions, partial loss of use of lower extremities, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals, and insomnia due to incomplete records from VA medical centers.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was not granted as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for postoperative internal derangement of the left knee from January 1, 2008 is denied. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The claim for a higher rating for right knee status post partial medial meniscectomy with limitation of motion prior to May 2, 2016 is denied.,A separate 20 percent rating for impairment of the semilunar cartilage (meniscal condition) is granted prior to May 2, 2016.,The claim for a 60 percent rating for residuals of right total knee replacement from July 1, 2017 is granted.,The TDIU claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip disorders, as well as a right knee disorder. The claims were based on the Veteran's in-service fall from a truck, but no credible evidence was found to support these allegations.

The Board has denied service connection for CFS and a rating greater than 30 percent for IBS, but has remanded the remaining issues due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses associated with dental treatment to and from the VAMC in West Haven, Connecticut is denied as he was not entitled to such payments due to VA regulations requiring reimbursement from his points of entry into the United States.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, left ankle disorder, prostate cancer (secondary to asbestos exposure), right knee disorder, lower back disorder, tinnitus, and sarcoidosis. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the lumbar spine disability and left knee strain.

The Board denied service connection for urinary tract infections and remanded issues regarding increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee, and left knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, kidney disability, and residuals of a head injury due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for a right knee meniscus tear. The low back condition is presumed due to continuity of symptoms since service. The right knee issue was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a separate right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence of record regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability throughout the period on appeal. The Veteran underwent surgery in October 2016, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability prior to July 8, 2019 and a compensable rating for right knee disability from July 8, 2019. The effective date earlier than October 27, 2016, for the award of a TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lower back and left knee disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim. The current ratings of 10 percent for both conditions remain unchanged.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for right knee disability as secondary to left knee disability. The issue of higher ratings for left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for fibrocystic breast disorder is dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury (other than headaches) is denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current symptoms to service.,Service connection for right arm disability is denied. The VA examiner concluded there was no link between the Veteran's current condition and service.,Service connection for left knee disability is denied. The VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s current condition is more likely related to aging and normal wear and tear rather than service.,Service connection for residuals of a midline episiotomy is denied. There was no evidence linking the current condition to service.,Service connection for recurrent vaginitis is granted as it can be reasonably disassociated from her active duty service.,Service connection for chest pain and pressure is denied. The VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and needs a more thorough opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee arthritis.