Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has denied a higher rating for left knee arthritis and has remanded the issue of service connection for right knee disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for updated VA examinations. The claims file will be reviewed, additional evidence obtained, and a new examination conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder, left knee condition, and right foot condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the left knee and right foot conditions.,Service connection was not granted for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnosis and active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.,The Veteran was also denied TDIU as her service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions and need for additional evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and left knee disorders due to incomplete development of records, inadequate medical opinions, and conflicting lay statements.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion and no more, but a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability/subluxation. The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis remains rated at 10 percent.,Additional VA examination is needed to determine if psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis should be considered as part of the service-connected skin disorder or separately.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, back condition, right knee condition, and tinnitus due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated her left knee disability, and for obtaining new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disabilities have been granted, with a separate rating assigned for the residuals of his meniscectomy. The Veteran now has a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion and instability, in addition to the existing 10 percent rating for the meniscectomy.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion or other basis to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis was denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease was granted, but no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Veteran's right knee replacement is rated at 60 percent from June 1, 2013 to March 7, 2016.,The Veteran was denied a TDIU prior to December 6, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding less strenuous employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DJD of the right and left knees due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives. The VA examiner must consider lay evidence and provide a sound reasoning for all conclusions made.

The Board has remanded the case due to delays in adjudicating an increased rating for right knee ligamentous injury and a TDIU claim. The AOJ must first address the increased rating issue before considering the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders due to inadequate development in prior examinations.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of September 12, 2010 for separate ratings of 10 percent each for right and left knee degenerative arthritis.,The Board also granted a revision of the January 2013 rating decision reflecting service connection for both knees with evaluations of 10 percent effective September 12, 2010 based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).