Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination and the need for a new one.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities to obtain a new VA examination. The current rating decisions are being reviewed due to the inadequacy of the August 2019 VA examination report.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for left knee DJD prior to February 17, 2010 is granted. A higher rating is denied after that date.,The Veteran's initial 20% rating for left shoulder disorder is denied.,A higher schedular rating for right hip disability after February 2010 is denied.,A higher schedular rating for lumbar spine disability from November 2009 onwards is denied.,A higher schedular rating for right lower extremity sciatica prior to March 5, 2014 is denied. A higher schedular rating after that date is also denied.,A higher schedular rating for left lower extremity sciatica is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to the current disability element.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee disability is being remanded as there is new evidence suggesting a relationship between her in-service miscarriage and residuals, and her current condition.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to her in-service running activities which may have contributed to the development of her current foot conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is being remanded as there is new evidence suggesting a relationship between her in-service running activities and her current condition.,The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar strain are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to the nexus element.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the presumption of soundness at entry into service.,Service connection is established for left knee arthritis and right shoulder rotator cuff tear and arthritis due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and lack of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The SSOC is needed for all denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for Actinic Keratosis of Face and Arms, left knee strain with Osteoarthritis, and right knee strain with Osteoarthritis have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has restored the prior rating of 10% for left knee instability, finding that the reduction was improper due to lack of improvement in symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his right shoulder disability and headache disability. The left knee and right knee disabilities are now considered as secondary to a pre-existing condition (lumbar spine).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including irregular heartbeat, BPH, high cholesterol, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney condition, skin condition, right hand tremors, left hand condition, knee conditions, ankle conditions, shoulder arthritis, and lower bilateral gout are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's service records do not provide clear evidence of his claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Further efforts should be made to confirm this information.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum VA examination to address the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to service, particularly his reported injuries during airborne operations in service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left knee strain and right shoulder posttraumatic arthritis, as well as service connection claims for various ankle and foot disorders secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension should be reopened and remanded. The other issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for her left knee post-total knee replacement surgery remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various disabilities and a rating for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims are pending resolution.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to December 31, 2018, and in excess of 50 percent from that date was dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee chondromalacia patella and right knee chondromalacia patella were granted. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle strain is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s tinnitus was related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of their claims. However, further development is required as VA must provide an examination or obtain a medical opinion in order to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral foot disability and bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private medical records.