Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 30 percent, based on limitation of motion. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence that the disability warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 7, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran’s lumbar arthritis has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. However, several issues remain pending and need further review.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right shoulder, cervical spine (post-C2-6 fusion), and lumbar spine DJD as the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand multiple claims for further development due to a significant gap in the record and the need to obtain updated VA medical records. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private treatment records he may have.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained are inadequate and requires additional opinions to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including cervical spine, left knee, right knee, right wrist, and right shoulder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's dental disorder. The issues related to increased evaluations for service-connected hip and knee conditions are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cervical, low back, right knee, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities as well as vertigo and lung/breathing disability. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was not granted on a direct basis due to lack of a medical nexus between the current conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and medical inquiry.,Increased ratings are sought for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, neuropathy in both lower extremities, and degenerative joint disease in both knees.

The Board has remanded the claims for medial tibia stress syndrome and seizure disorder due to incomplete development. The knee condition claim requires a new VA examination, while the seizure disorder claim needs information on the Veteran's service status.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA orthopedic examinations and a need for retrospective medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, including during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the Veteran's right knee disabilities, specifically instability and meniscal tear, as well as his eligibility for TDIU. The combined rating for his right leg below his thigh is at the amputation level of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate and requires additional examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. The appeal is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability. Service connection for OSA and PTSD have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for specific phobia, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee meniscal tear with chondromalacia and a popliteal cyst, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty in 2001 and are related to this period of service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and ankle disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 15, 2017. The issues are being remanded for further development and an adequate medical examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issues of increased ratings for diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy in both upper extremities prior to September 24, 2019 are being remanded.,For the right and left upper extremity diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy prior to September 24, 2019, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent. The issues of increased ratings for diffuse sensorimotor neuropathy in both lower extremities prior to June 22, 2017 are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition likely began during his military service and is related to an in-service injury, granting him service connection for this disability.