Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are necessary to properly assess the Veteran's lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as well as their impact on his TDIU claim. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right ankle, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis of both knees, and instability of both knees have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for each condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right knee condition, which may be related to or aggravated by a service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral ankle gout due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion. The case is sent back for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from an appropriate VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee, right elbow, and right thumb conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The VA will conduct a physical examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for CRDP payments prior to September 1, 2014 was denied. The Board also found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and ordered the RO to send the Veteran a notification letter regarding an October 2017 audit indicating he was entitled to a retroactive compensation payment of $984.00 for the period from January 2017 to May 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, right elbow osteoarthritis, tension headaches, and traumatic brain injury are not supported by the evidence. The claims have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 20% for post-phlebitic syndrome, right leg. The appeal was granted to restore the 20% rating for post-phlebitic syndrome, effective July 24, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either knee, except for granting a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The decision on these issues will be reconsidered after further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding a claimed left knee injury during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, increased ratings for various knee and back disabilities, service connection for shoulder, ankle, foot, and sleep apnea conditions, as well as reopening of his hypertension claim are all remanded. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's left thumb disability is rated at 10% since October 25, 2012 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee replacement is rated at 100% from December 29, 2014 to January 31, 2016 and then rated at 30% since February 1, 2016.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional procedural development is necessary and the claims for increased ratings for right knee and lower back disabilities are REMANDED to allow for consideration of all evidence received since the April 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, residuals of left side epididymis and hypogonadism, and chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for seizures, right knee disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, left eye disability, otitis media, rosacea, and basal cell carcinoma on the face are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the relationship between active duty service and any current disabilities. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is now granted.