Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, chronic low back condition, and left knee disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's service treatment records show hypertension during service but no formal diagnosis was made. Post-service records indicate current diagnoses of hypertension, chronic low back condition, and left knee disability. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left knee extension, flexion, and instability have been denied. However, the Veteran has been granted a 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability from October 16, 2014 to November 20, 2018, but his request for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for this period is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder and left knee conditions, finding that his current diagnoses are related to injuries he sustained during active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, melanoma, and lumbosacral spine strain are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that new and relevant evidence was submitted to reopen the claim. The Veteran's current diagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome in both knees is supported by lay statements from him and his supervisor attesting to in-service complaints and physical demands during military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran’s cervical spine disability has not resulted in ankylosis or incapacitating episodes as required for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee medial meniscus tear and right hip disorder, both secondary to her service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities, were granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle and right knee disabilities, finding that the conditions were aggravated by a service-connected right ankle disability. The decision also reopened claims for these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of both the left and right knees, finding that the Veteran's knee pain is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and surgical scar are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees even with flare-ups or repetitive use. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities due to insufficient examination records. The AOJ must schedule a new examination and readjudicate the claims after considering all evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches prior to February 8, 2017, an initial compensable evaluation for laparoscopy scars, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for whether new and material evidence exists to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection for left ovary removal, ovary cyst removal, and cervical dysplasia have also been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues regarding service connection for a left knee disability (secondary to lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes) and a right knee disability (secondary to lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is also being remanded.

The claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability have been reopened.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, and the right knee disability claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his respiratory failure was not caused by or related to his active duty service, nor were his service-connected disabilities a contributing factor.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including colon cancer, degenerative joint diseases of multiple body parts, and a respiratory disability. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion regarding potential asbestos exposure.

The Board has dismissed all the veteran's appeals for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spurs and metatarsalgia, posterior thigh muscle (left thigh disability), hypertension, inguinal hernia, kidney stones, and generalized anxiety disorder. The appeals were withdrawn by the veteran's representative on September 21, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, updated work history information, and tax returns. A new VA examination is also required.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot residuals from a cold weather injury, neck and back disability (ankylosing spondylitis), and left knee disability as secondary to service-connected neck and back disabilities. The decision is based on direct service connection.