Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied a higher rating for right and left knee instability and limitation of flexion, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for more severe ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder and its relationship to service, particularly his right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The TDIU claim is also being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Meniere’s syndrome, right hip bursitis, right knee condition, back condition, and left lower extremity neuropathy with residuals to allow for further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral shoulder condition, and bilateral knee condition due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee mild patellofemoral syndrome was denied, while his claim for a 20 percent initial rating for right knee instability was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the current diagnoses are not related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes, and his service connection claims were granted based on direct evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his lateral instability of the left knee is also rated at 10 percent. The right knee disability prior to August 8, 2012 (prior to meniscal repair surgery) is rated at 10 percent. Since October 1, 2012, the Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for lateral instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints, bilateral knee disability, right ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, and a skin disability due to additional development.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis, instability, left knee meniscal tear, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis have been rated based on their severity. The Veteran has received separate ratings for his knee conditions and the thoracolumbar spine condition.,The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis effective February 8, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left-sided body pain, including a left hip disorder; left shoulder disorder; left arm disorder (claimed as left elbow pain); and left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions in the previous decision.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities have aggravated her right knee, bilateral hip, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee strain and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by a meniscus condition and instability, is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5258. The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for painful flexion (under Diagnostic Code 5260) and 10 percent for slight instability (under Diagnostic Code 5257).

The Board denied service connection for a dental disability and a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not caused by military negligence or malpractice. The left knee condition was determined to be aggravated beyond its natural progression during active duty training in 1991.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 22, 2019, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability after May 22, 2019, were denied. The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability was remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and left elbow disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and the need for clarification regarding the Veteran's right knee instability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and hallux valgus and hallux rigidus of the right foot. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise the result of active service.,The VA examiner provided opinions against the Veteran's claims for all four issues.