Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right knee disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, toe disorder, and PTSD. Additional evidence is needed as VA medical opinions are required to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding the aggravation of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition by his service-connected left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip synovitis and/or degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and associated radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back, left ankle, and right ankle disorders, as well as an increased rating for the service-connected left shoulder partial rotator cuff tear. The Veteran will need to undergo further VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis instability have been denied as the severity of his instability is no more than mild, with consideration of voluminous VA treatment records showing normal gait without use of assistive devices.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss (right and left ears), right knee condition, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty.,There is no current evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disability, right knee disability, and heart condition due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, along with other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU from February 7, 2013, through December 14, 2014, and SMC based on housebound status effective February 7, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was granted, as new evidence supports the reopening of his previously denied claim.,Service connection for ankle, foot, knee, hip and hand pain (claimed as muscular and movement pains) is granted due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot condition is reopened. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition and right pinky finger scar are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome and arthritis, is rated at a minimum compensable level (10%) due to painful motion on flexion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, a right knee disability, a back disability, a left shoulder disability, and a left hand and thumb disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for various hip and knee conditions, as well as service connection for hypertension, is dismissed. Service connection for hypertension was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from various providers.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his left knee meniscal tear with arthritis and right knee arthritis have been denied.,A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for the Veteran's left knee meniscal tear under Diagnostic Code 5258. The Veteran's right knee arthritis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the skin disability service connection is granted. The cervical, left knee, and right arm disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined evaluation did not meet the minimum combined rating criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities involving his lower extremities are collectively rated as 50 percent disabling, which precludes him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his high school education and occupational history as a truck driver, auto mechanic, saw operator, and hospital orderly. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.