Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee strain, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete service records and the need for updated medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and compliance with prior directives. The Veteran's right hip, back, right shoulder, and left knee disorders are all under consideration.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated, but his left knee replacement is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his active duty service. The decision also remanded the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion, extension, and instability due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee disability and diabetes mellitus, type II have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and chondromalacia of the left knee, limitation of extension, are restored to their previous ratings. The cervical strain issue is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left knee extension disability was rated as noncompensable from December 6, 2013 to April 10, 2019. A 30 percent rating for the condition is granted starting from April 10, 2019. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for essential tremors/Parkinson's Disease and increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII).,Service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is not productive of total occupational and social impairment, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.,Service connection for sleep apnea cannot be established due to the absence of a diagnosis. The claim is remanded for a new opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral knee arthralgia claims are remanded for a new examination as the November 2019 VA examination was inadequate.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle arthralgia claims are also remanded for a new examination due to inconsistencies in the November 2019 VA examination report.,TDIU is remanded as the Veteran has not submitted an application for TDIU.

The Board has restored the 60 percent ratings for total right knee arthroplasty and total left knee replacement associated with internal derangement with degenerative changes, as the reduction was improper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis have been denied. A separate rating of 10 percent has been granted for instability secondary to service-connected left ankle and left knee conditions.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), seborrheic keratosis, and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The denial of her requests for higher ratings remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, finding no evidence to support a diagnosis or relationship with military service. The claim for reopening of service connection for lumbar spine disability was granted due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in a 70 percent disability rating since September 2, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's inability to maintain substantial gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to outstanding and updated medical records being needed, as well as additional examinations to evaluate his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating prior to September 26, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for service-connected left knee instability has been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran’s attorney.