Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus and left knee disability are granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise for both tinnitus and left knee disability, but not for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 0 percent, and his low back disability is also rated at 0 percent. Both are denied increased ratings.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for moderate right knee instability symptoms and a remand is ordered to evaluate the Veteran's right knee locking symptoms. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee instability and painful motion is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions provided by the VA examiners. The issues include bilateral shoulder disability, right hand joint pain, bilateral elbow and knee pain, cervical spine disability, renal cell carcinoma, neuropathy of lower extremities, osteoarthritis of left hand ring finger, hypertension, hiatal hernia with GERD, atopic dermatitis, migraine headaches, and bilateral condylar flattening indicative of degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), increased disability evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the right knee and left knee, and an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has restored a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee replacement, effective February 1, 2013. The decision is based on evidence showing improvement in the disability but not an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as for a compensable rating for his right knee scar. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, lumbar spine disability, neck disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder and severe alcohol use disorder) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any current disabilities related to his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on range of motion or pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if pseudogout or a form of systemic arthritis initially manifested during service and whether it is related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability and respiratory disorder due to insufficient medical documentation. The Veteran must be provided with new VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service, including any incident where he hit his right knee during training. Additionally, the RO should obtain all relevant records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claims for sleep disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders, left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability or service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings related to various disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right elbow, bilateral knee, and left foot disorders have been denied.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for leukemia and thrombocytopenia have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for left knee disability, right knee disability, or cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. A 10 percent rating is granted for left wrist tendonitis, and a 10 percent rating is also granted for right wrist tendonitis.,Service connection for bilateral ankle gout and bilateral knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions in the VA examination report and the need for a new examination to determine if any left knee pain is attributable solely to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an orthopedic examination to assess his left knee disability post-TKR surgery. The schedular requirements for a TDIU rating are met as of February 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and residuals of skin cancer due to insufficient evidence in some cases.