Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development as some issues require additional evidence or clarification.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and left knee disability have been denied. The current evaluations of 60 percent for the radiculopathy and 10 percent for the left knee are found to be appropriate based on the severity of symptoms and functional limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at a 60 percent since April 1, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, forearm, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for loss of sense of smell as there is insufficient evidence linking this condition to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between any past injury or disease and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a vocational assessment and VA examinations of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to outstanding records needing to be obtained and examinations being conducted.

The Veteran's increased disability evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is denied.,The Veteran's claim of an increased disability evaluation for chronic urticaria has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, which is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The case must be returned for a new VA examination and opinion that addresses whether the right hip disability was proximately due to or aggravated by the left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiner who conducted a recent examination. The Veteran's representative argues that the examiner was not qualified to provide an opinion on orthopedic disorders and requests additional information.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right thumb, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating effective July 28, 2008. The Veteran's left knee and right knee replacements are each granted a 60% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 19, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right knee condition increased in severity beyond its natural progression during service, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee condition.

The Board has determined that further examination and consideration are necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as his entitlement to earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain recent VA treatment records and conduct current VA examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for various conditions are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, low back, and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. Additional development is needed including obtaining STRs and providing addendum opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are to be evaluated further.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the right knee unicondylar revision arthroplasty from February 17, 2017 to February 22, 2018. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent effective December 6, 2019. The TDIU claim has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee lateral instability and degenerative joint disease, as well as his TDIU claim prior to September 24, 2012. The VA must obtain updated treatment records from various VAMCs and provide notice of any inability to obtain these records.