Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for left knee disability, blindness in both eyes, psychiatric disabilities, decreased bone density, low back disability, and foot disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and award letters, pay stubs from Puerto Rico Army National Guard service, verify the exact dates of each period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA), and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature, initial onset dates, etiologies, and relationships between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease due to the need for updated and adequate examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or any link to service. The VA examiner concluded that the current left knee condition is less likely than not related to active duty.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately caused by her service-connected back and right knee injuries.

The Board has remanded the issues of propriety of reduction from 20% to 10% disability rating for right knee, increased rating for left inguinal herniorrhaphy, combined disability rating in excess of 50%, and TDIU due to incomplete development and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, bladder disability, skin disability, loss of teeth, chronic pain syndrome, blood clot on lungs, hypertension, and permanent incapacity were dismissed. The claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities are reopened but further development is needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include tinnitus, hearing loss, heel pain, ankle pain, knee pain, psychiatric disorders, GERD, stomach condition, headaches, lung condition, sinus condition, and throat condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability. The decision also denied an increased rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was denied as his flexion and extension were within normal limits, and he did not have instability or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.,For anxiety disorder prior to June 4, 2018, the Veteran was found to meet criteria for a 50 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inconsistencies in the severity assessments of the Veteran's knee disabilities and internal hemorrhoids. Additional evidence is needed, including VA treatment records since May 2016, and a new examination for both knees and internal hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board found that his condition did not meet the definition of ischemic heart disease.,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities was also denied. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s pre-existing bilateral knee conditions were less likely caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was restored to a 20 percent rating effective November 1, 2011.,An initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected status post fracture proximal left tibia with residual tenderness and left knee strain has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began, as it does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board previously remanded the case for additional development. The Veteran's right knee disability has been assigned temporary total ratings effective from April 21, 2015 to December 31, 2015. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for service-connected left knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU were remanded and deferred. In July 2017, the Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his right knee disability. The Court vacated this decision in May 2018 due to inadequate examinations and lack of retrospective opinion regarding prior to January 2016 total right knee replacement surgery.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for an eating disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and need for new VA examinations.

The appeal seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.,The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The right knee, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), back disability, and neck disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for right knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for left knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain, disc herniation, and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for bilateral hip condition and right knee condition due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again, requiring a new medical opinion.