Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, PTSD and major depressive disorder, right knee pain, left knee pain, and breathing problems have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that would support these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it began during his active duty. The right knee disability, however, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and bunions are rated at a 10 percent since April 27, 2015. The Veteran's right knee arthritis or degenerative joint disease is rated at a 10 percent since January 10, 2013. The Veteran's left knee arthritis or degenerative joint disease is also rated at a 10 percent since January 10, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and left knee disability due to incomplete VA examinations, lack of consideration of lay statements, and need for further medical opinions regarding etiology.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for right knee disability, effective August 3, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating was also granted for instability of the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for chest pain, including costochondritis, as the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service disease, injury, or event.,The Board remanded issues regarding cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left foot and ankle disabilities for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg disability, right knee disability, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability due to lack of supporting objective medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle and right knee degenerative joint disease as they did not comply with the requirements in Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and right ankle disability, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. The Board also denied his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions that his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has vacated and remanded the case due to insufficient VA examinations, requiring a retrospective medical opinion on the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability prior to September 22, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with disc herniation and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions addressing whether it is secondary to obesity resulting from a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is currently employed and has not been found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee meniscal tear repair and traumatic arthritis, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee patellar tendonitis. The issues are currently in appellate status.

The Veteran's tonsil cancer is granted service connection as it was caused by exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in service. Service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are denied due to lack of a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is now rated at 20 percent, effective from April 28, 2009. His right knee disability remains rated as 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee disability and service connection for Hepatitis C are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board requests additional retrospective opinions from VA clinicians to address the Veteran's symptoms, range of motion, and etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the submission of new medical evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues include service connection for various foot, ankle, back, wrist, skin, and shoulder conditions.

The Board has found that the VA examinations did not substantially comply with the May 2019 remand directives and for a duty to assist error. The claims are being remanded for new VA medical opinions to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed migraines, lower back, left knee and left foot disabilities in light of the particular circumstances of the in-service motor vehicle accident described by the Veteran as well as other documented instances of lower back injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not show the Veteran met the criteria for entitlement to this benefit prior to September 17, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and initial rating for low back, left knee, right knee, and headache disabilities before the Board could make a decision.