Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative facet changes, bilateral hip strain, and degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees. The Veteran's inability to conceive was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's right knee scars are rated at a 10 percent effective April 28, 2014. The scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are not deep or nonlinear and do not cause any functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the severity of the Veteran's left spontaneous pneumothorax, as well as whether his COPD and right spontaneous pneumothorax are aggravated by his service-connected left spontaneous pneumothorax.

Service connection for a left knee disability is denied.,An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with probable meniscus tear has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the claims for accrued benefits due to pending appeals and a potential one-year window for filing a Notice of Disagreement. The RO must adjudicate these claims on their merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for bilateral knee disabilities and a scar of the left knee due to insufficient consideration of ankylosis of the knees, as well as inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and respiratory condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis based on a finding of continuous post-service symptoms, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 21, 2015 to February 5, 2019. The case is remanded for further examination and rating of the left knee and spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and rating for various knee, hip, and ankle disabilities due to procedural issues. The Veteran's left knee disability was reduced from 20% to 10%, but no SSOC was issued.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of lumbosacral strain, right knee RPS, left knee RPS, and GERD. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations and an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service and concluding that any current arthritis is more likely due to natural aging.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for glaucoma, arthritis of the left knee, and arthritis of the right knee due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's glaucoma is denied as there is no link between his in-service conjunctivitis and current symptoms. For the knees, a new VA examination is needed to determine if any bilateral knee disorder is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for instability of the right knee is granted, effective June 12, 2008. A 10 percent rating for painful motion or reduced range of motion of the right knee is also granted, effective June 12, 2008.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,TDIU was granted prior to January 22, 2015, on a schedular basis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to the need for a VA examination.