Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability led to his early discharge from the Selected Reserve, allowing him to qualify for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, congenital kidney disability, bilateral wrist disability, back disability, leg pain in left lower extremity, and leg pain in right lower extremity. The cases are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.,Service connection is not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service for the Veteran's left knee disability, congenital kidney disability, bilateral wrist disability, back disability, leg pain in left lower extremity, and leg pain in right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the cases of right knee degenerative joint disease and COPD for further development. The decision on these matters is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused his left knee condition, leading to the need for total left knee replacement. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee, shin, and ankle conditions have been granted. The VA has also determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is related to his service-connected left knee disability and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and right knee instability are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings. The Veteran is granted initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee and left hip conditions, which were related to her in-service injuries. The VA needs to obtain new opinions that consider the Veteran's lay reports of continued pain following service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability due to the Veteran's in-service injury, with evidence showing that the condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including chronic foot disability, bilateral elbow disabilities, hypertension, respiratory disorder (asthma, chronic bronchitis, or COPD), right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals as the Veteran withdrew her claims through a signed Appeals Satisfaction Notice in July 2020.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service, and whether it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted within a year of the January 2018 rating decision, making it new and material. The Veteran's representative contends that his sleep apnea is due to weight gain caused by service-connected conditions. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle disability and posttraumatic headaches due to insufficient development. The Veteran's current left ankle disability is not shown to have had its onset in service or be related to active military service, while his right knee disability may be related to service based on medical history provided by VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and left knee disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for right knee, left knee, and neck disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected back disability. The claims are remanded for further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his left knee symptoms, and a need for an addendum opinion from the April 2017 VA examiner.