Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his lumbosacral strain, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee disorder, are being evaluated further.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a mental disorder, and various musculoskeletal conditions. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence or causation of any of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left inguinal hernia hydrocele and orchiopexy, left inguinal hernia scar, right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, RUE CTS, and LUE CTS have all been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 30 percent for right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear has been denied. The Board found that the objective range of motion findings throughout the appeal period showed extension limited to, at worst, 20 degrees and flexion limited to, at worst, 90 degrees, even in contemplation of functional loss due to pain and other factors.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral elbow, knee, and lower back disabilities are at least as likely as not related to service. However, the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and wrist disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of any increased disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for additional development of the Veteran's claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran had right knee degenerative joint disease prior to service. The claim will be reviewed again with a focus on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for nummular eczema with keratosis pilaris and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with iliotibial band syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding treatment methods and examination of the knees.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 26, 2016 and granted a separate 20 percent rating for instability effective October 21, 2016.,An effective date of June 4, 2008, but no earlier, is granted for the assignment of a separate 20 percent evaluation for service-connected left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for right-knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for proper range of motion assessments.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right ankle, lower back, right hip, right knee, and left ankle conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the May 2019 rating decision, as the appellant has already received attorney fees for that amount.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, headaches, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but other claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability. The initial ratings for these conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and tinnitus, finding the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and has remanded her knee claims due to insufficient evidence. The decision summary is that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while her knee claims are sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.