Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee condition, bladder condition, and gastrointestinal disorder were dismissed as the issues were not appealed. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from February 17, 2015 to January 28, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities of degenerative arthritis of the lumber spine, left hip condition with limited flexion, bilateral knee replacements, hypertension, ischemic cerebral vascular accident, left hip osteoarthritis with trochanteris pain and hearing loss. The effective date was set at February 17, 2015.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifest by limitation of extension to 10 degrees, and the Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional disability of the left knee due to VA treatment was denied because there is no evidence that the carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on part of the VA caused his condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, with a 10% rating for limited flexion and a 20% rating for a torn medial meniscus since March 28, 2019. The extension issue is not applicable as it was resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart condition, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions addressing continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, low back disability, and skin disability on the head and ears.,There is no evidence to support that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to non-compliance with previous directives and the Veteran's incarceration at a correctional facility. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations for the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities, tailored to his confinement.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability and has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left knee scars, patellar dislocation, Achilles tendon repair, and surgical scar on the left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee conditions, a low back condition (to include as secondary to bilateral knee conditions), and a left shoulder condition. The evidence supports the finding that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Special monthly compensation based on housebound is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee (both for the condition and instability) have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected retropatellar pain syndrome, right and left knees prior to February 28, 2013, and ratings in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The case is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disability and denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder. The decision also noted that entitlement to a TDIU was not considered as it was not raised by the Veteran.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death. The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on arthritis with limitation of motion. The RO has remanded the claims for further development.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, left foot condition, right and left knee conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of gynecological disability, left hip disorder (claimed as trochanteric bursitis and hip flexure tendinitis), and left knee patellofemoral syndrome due to incomplete examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is related to an injury sustained during active duty. The appeal was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder, eye disorder, arthritis of the cervical spine, right knee, hands, elbows, and right shoulder, as well as urinary problems, are being remanded due to insufficient examination opinions addressing prior findings.