Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not comply with prior remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional opinions from appropriate clinicians.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hip strain, left hip strain, right thigh limitation of flexion, impairment of the right thigh, left thigh limitation of extension, and left knee sprain with meniscal tear are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from August 1, 2009 to August 19, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance due to the use of a right knee brace in 2015 is being remanded as there are insufficient details about the type and extent of wear on his clothing.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disability claims due to inadequate examination findings. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of these issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and granted an initial rating of 10% for hypertension, but the decision did not specify when the effective date would be.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right knee. The case is being remanded to determine if an extraschedular TDIU is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew them prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted for IBS and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The remaining claims have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee is granted from July 23, 2009, to July 5, 2012.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient consideration of her service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right knee degenerative arthritis, arthralgia, and strain are at least as likely as not incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for thoracic spine degenerative arthritis, left knee tendinitis, and right knee Osgood Schlatter's disease due to deficiencies in VA examinations and outstanding records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral degenerative changes of the knee as there is no evidence that his current condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings and TDIU prior to September 1, 2016. The case is being remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent effective June 12, 2019. His right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating. Bilateral foot calluses are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, right ankle, and right shoulder disabilities due to concerns about the adequacy of previous medical opinions and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and requests for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the most recent VA examinations, particularly regarding range of motion measurements and pain assessment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and joint pain including hands, shoulders, knees, hips, and fingers due to presumed Gulf War exposures. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.