Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and other issues. The Veteran's service-connected right knee and left hip disabilities are still under review.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD and TDIU are remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased initial ratings for his lumbar spine, right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically related to flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection, while the claims for colon resection, gastroesophageal reflux disease, right wrist condition, right knee condition, low back condition, bilateral foot condition, and ingrown toenails are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 60 degrees or extension limited to 5 degrees, which would warrant a separate noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261. The Veteran's current limitation of flexion is at worst to 90 degrees with pain, but this does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. Extension has been consistently full (zero degrees), so she cannot be rated under Diagnostic Code 5261 either.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and denied an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is not related to active service or her service-connected right foot disability, and she was found employable prior to October 19, 2015.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lower back, right and left knee, left lower extremity neurological, and chest disabilities, need further development due to incomplete medical records. The case is being remanded to obtain all relevant service treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and alcohol abuse disorder are granted service connection. Bilateral elbow disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 16, 2012 was denied as he had maintained full-time employment and earned more than the poverty threshold during that period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records related to his bilateral knee surgeries and recovery process. The claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral knee surgical scars, will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded six issues of service connection for various knee and hip conditions, as well as arthritis in the left foot. The reasons include insufficient evidence to determine if the pre-existing lumbar spine disorder was aggravated by service or if the left foot arthritis is related to a vehicle accident during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's increased rating claims for lumbar spine, left and right knee disabilities, and right shoulder derangement remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left leg thrombophlebitis, right shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is granted. The claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscal tear with internal derangement and degenerative joint disease is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for hiatal hernia, bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, and right knee disability. However, these claims are remanded as further development is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral feet disabilities, PFB, and right knee disability due to insufficient reasons and bases in the previous decisions. The appeals are now pending again with the Board.