Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran was not precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 1, 2009 due to his service-connected right knee disabilities. Therefore, a TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and TDIU due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a completed VA Form 21-8940, and an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee sprain. The examiner will need to address whether any diagnosed right knee disability began in service, was caused by service, or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 19, 2009 for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU and there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, left knee condition, and headaches due to inadequate attempts to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his post-operative residuals of left total knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings and effective dates for his right and left knee instability is granted.,The Veteran was awarded separate 10% disability ratings for right and left knee instability as of March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with DDD is not rated higher than 20 percent.,A 10 percent rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints prior to July 20, 2018 has been granted. The condition was manifested by painful limited motion.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disorder, low back disorder, and left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were aggravated by service or related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee condition and its relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back and knee disabilities are related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

All issues related to service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the granting of these conditions in a previous rating decision. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right and left knee disorders, and a left shoulder disorder due to additional development being necessary. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder, finding that these conditions are caused by his service-connected foot disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee conditions, as well as their secondary relationships. Additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 26, 2019, and at 40 percent thereafter. The right knee and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for a right upper extremity disability (likely peripheral neuropathy) and a left lower extremity disability (likely peripheral vascular disease or neuropathy) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to the need for further examination and evidence collection. The issues are inextricably intertwined.