Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and a TDIU claim. The Board has remanded these cases due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disorder and left foot drop are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 1, 2015. From February 11, 2020 through February 10, 2020, the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU but was not granted one due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected left shoulder strain, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran's left shoulder strain is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including those related to the Veteran's left knee scar, right ring finger fracture, prostate cancer, and service connection for a low back condition. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded. The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for her post-operative residuals of right knee surgery, based on limitation of motion. A separate disability rating of 10 percent was granted for instability of the right knee. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is remanded for further development.

The appeal pertaining to the claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis B is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for chronic asthma, right knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective April 1, 2016. His left knee strain remains at 10 percent. The Board granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and outstanding records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, knee, heart, and sleep disorders, which he asserts are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee disability from November 11, 2009 to February 13, 2019 is denied. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee meniscectomy residual symptoms during the same period is granted.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the right knee, right foot, and left foot as these conditions are not currently diagnosed.,Service connection was also denied for gout of the right foot and left foot as secondary to degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The evidence did not support a finding that the left knee strain was related to service or due to his service-connected condition.

Service connection for right knee condition is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee DJD is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are each rated with separate 10 percent ratings prior to May 4, 2017. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development of the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various spinal and joint disorders, as the provided medical opinions are inadequate. The matter must be reconsidered with new evidence and a more detailed opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his depressive disorder, left knee, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities is being remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability is granted. However, the Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as he has not been diagnosed with this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability or if it was aggravated by it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, resulting in the denial of his TDIU claim.