Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical opinions regarding her right shoulder, wrist, hip, and knee disabilities. The issues include seeking increased evaluations for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity in determining whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities interfere with his ability to dress, undress, feed himself, attend to the wants of nature, and protect himself from hazards. The Veteran is currently service connected for PTSD, DDD, hypothyroidism, strain left knee, strain right knee, degenerative changes in right hip, degenerative changes in left hip, and cervical spine issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous VA examination. The Veteran's right knee, bilateral foot skin disability (dermatophytosis), and bilateral pes planus disabilities are all being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disorder and right leg disorder, as well as whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left little finger injury and left total knee replacement was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating beyond the current 30 percent for the left total knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disorders, and back disorder due to in-service injuries. The Veteran's reports of symptoms since service are considered, but an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board has remanded for further development due to insufficient evidence. The issues of left knee disability and bone condition in the left leg are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, right knee, left knee, and left hip disabilities due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disorder based on instability, effective December 8, 2016. The rating is subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability during flare-ups, and for obtaining additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee replacement is rated at 30 percent, and his claim for a higher rating has been denied. The Board also found that he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for limitation of left knee extension due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee DJD, left knee DJD, left knee instability, and right ankle disability as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee conditions prior to specific dates have been denied. The Veteran was granted initial 10 percent ratings for his knees in August 2012, followed by a temporary total rating from May 11, 2017 to July 1, 2018. As of July 1, 2018, he received 60 percent ratings for his total knee replacements.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, low back condition, cervical spine condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development, including obtaining any relevant medical records from a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his left knee disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion and conduct any other necessary development.