Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral shin and knee disabilities, which were originally claimed as shin splits and degenerative joint disease respectively.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding additional limitation of motion during flare-ups and with repeated use over time.

The Veteran's right knee strain is not found to be related to her service-connected left hip bursitis and is denied.,The Veteran's migraines are not found to be related to her service-connected asthma or asthma medications and are denied.

The Veteran's knee and back disabilities are not service-connected, so he is denied a clothing allowance for the benefit year 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in the medical records and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records, which may contain information relevant to his claims for right and left knee disabilities.

The appeal to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of viral hepatitis is granted. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition, respiratory condition (claimed as asthma), sinusitis, and right eye injury are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent and 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disabilities prior to August 17, 2015. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service, and no credible continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found no medical opinion linking current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atrial fibrillation, unspecified trauma disorder, lumbar spine disc disease, and other conditions, are reasonably shown to render him unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability and a TDIU rating due to issues with the current examination, need for updated treatment records, and VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee instability and osteoarthritis were rated at 10 percent prior to February 21, 2018. The RO has now assigned a 30 percent rating for the total left knee replacement since April 1, 2019.,The case is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the higher ratings for the service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hip disorder. The decision on the right knee disorder is based on lack of evidence linking it to service, while the right hip disorder case requires an additional examination opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, was first manifested on active duty service and is granted as service connected. The claim for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and tension headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent from January 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained for a proper evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left ankle and right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The remand requests additional examinations for these conditions and an opinion regarding their etiology.