Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected left knee disabilities prior to December 6, 2006 for further development. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and will be reconsidered after additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service activities and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability due to inconsistencies between the evidence of record and the July 2019 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating for lost right knee extension and entitlement to a TDIU due to incomplete information from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for left knee instability and patellar tendonitis with degenerative disease were denied. The Veteran was granted separate ratings of 30 percent for limited extension, but no higher, from January 6, 2020, and a 10 percent rating for instability, effective July 29, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals, right knee arthroscopy and medial meniscal repair prior to November 27, 2013 was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee meniscal tear and arthritis was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis as they have been fully granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his TBI, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder has been remanded for additional development. The rating for the Veteran’s TBI remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability and left knee arthritis are rated at the maximum allowable under current diagnostic codes. The Veteran’s residuals of shrapnel wound to the right hip affecting Muscle Group XIII and XVII and his left hip arthritis each receive a separate rating.

The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which rendered him unemployable. His TDIU claim for substitution purposes is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee chondromalacia patella, left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee lateral and medial instability, and left knee lateral and medial instability as new evidence was added to the record since the last SSOC.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional information regarding her occupational history and TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, major depressive disorder, and right knee status post ACL reconstruction due to insufficient evidence or further development being needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the service-connected bilateral foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current right knee condition was worsened by his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not related to service or Agent Orange exposure. His hypertension is related to service. The right knee, abdominal pain (IBS), GERD, and dysphagia issues have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for right knee chondromalacia, service connection for headaches and COPD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for his right knee condition or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition and concluding that any current right knee disorder is not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, as the evidence did not support that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,For right shoulder disability, the Veteran's current flexion and abduction were found to be within normal limits with no additional loss of range of motion. The Board determined that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted are not in compliance with the requirements set forth in Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017), and therefore, remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 19, 2015. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding SMC due to the need for aid and attendance or housebound.