Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his left knee disability, and for an examination to verify in-service stressors and assess any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that the current ratings are not adequate to reflect the severity of his symptoms, particularly during flare-ups.,The Veteran was also granted separate 20 percent ratings for meniscal tears in both knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for asthma and left knee disability due to outstanding medical records not being obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is capable of performing sedentary employment despite some physical limitations.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee, bilateral hip, and neck conditions as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and instability due to insufficient information provided by VA examiners regarding functional loss or limitation of range-of-motion. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including frequency, severity, and functional impairment associated with the disabilities in sufficient detail to allow for application of the pertinent rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions began during his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss due to lack of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's flat feet are remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately address whether they were aggravated by service.,The Board has denied entitlement to a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's flat feet are remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on their etiology.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for flat feet, right knee condition (secondary to service-connected left knee condition), back condition, and right shoulder condition. The right middle finger laceration residual claim is also remanded.,The VA examiner was asked to determine if the Veteran's right knee condition is secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed back, right shoulder and right shoulder scar disabilities are related to in-service injuries.,The VA examiner was asked to determine if the Veteran's right middle finger laceration residual is related to an in-service injury, event or disease. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed back, right shoulder and right shoulder scar disabilities are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination, specifically in relation to assessing functional impairment during flare-ups. The TDIU claim is also deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (bilateral shoulder and elbow conditions), bilateral wrist arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis. The claims for right foot gout and right foot condition (to include pes planus and plantar fasciitis) have been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a skin disorder, to include lichen simplex chronicus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and clarification of certain issues, including whether his disabilities are related to service or if they were aggravated by service. The liver disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for instability and a separate rating of 20 percent for meniscus tear with locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and a need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right knee disability based on limitation of extension and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability based on limitation of flexion due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is also requested to provide any pertinent VA or private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,Specifically, the knee and ankle claims require compliance with the Court’s holding in Correia, and the bilateral elbow and ulnar nerve neuropathy claims require new medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, status post medial compartment arthroplasty. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for headaches and entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability of the individual are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the RO did not grant a compensable rating for migraines, despite the Veteran experiencing frequent and severe headaches. The highest schedular rating available (50%) was assigned.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection.

The appeal for entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed.,Issues of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle/foot disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability are remanded.