Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee conditions due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after rescheduling the missed examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to her active duty service or caused by her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as there are outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle tendonitis have been granted increased ratings. The left knee is rated at 30% effective December 16, 2018. The right knee is rated at 30% effective June 15, 2020 for lateral instability. The right ankle tendonitis is rated at 30% effective December 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for knee disabilities and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for left knee instability, but denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain.

The Veteran's right and left knees are currently rated at 20 percent each for post-operative torn menisci under Diagnostic Code 5260, with separate ratings of 20 percent each for post-operative torn menisci under Diagnostic Code 5258.,New evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back condition as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, right ankle disability, and headache disability. The claims of service connection for chronic cough and acid reflux are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability and determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities due to inadequate examination and development of records. The issues include right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed. The claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right knee, right hip strain, and a skin disability of bilateral feet are remanded.

The Veteran is eligible for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, canes and/or a wheelchair.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee total knee replacement, a separate disability rating for instability, and service connection for chest pain (costochondritis). The case is being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service. The Board also found that his knee disability is not related to his service-connected lower back or pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral spine strain and degenerative disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee meniscectomy residuals, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, tinnitus, and other conditions, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.