Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is now rated at 20 percent, effective from May 7, 2014. The left knee disability remains at a 20 percent rating since the same date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.,The Board is requesting additional information from VA or private healthcare providers regarding the etiology of various health issues, including sleep disorders, skin conditions, cardiovascular problems, and metabolic disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to continuity of symptomatology and the need for updated VA etiology opinions. The Veteran's SSA records must be obtained, as well as any relevant private or VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and additional development of his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in July 2020, indicating satisfaction with the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right knee limitation of flexion due to arthritis, finding that his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Veteran's right knee total knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to address her range of motion, as well as an addendum opinion regarding whether her lower extremity neurological disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right knee replacement, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic right knee disability in service or continuous symptoms since service separation. The Board also found that the current right knee disability is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee was denied. The claim for TDIU prior to May 28, 2013, was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities that rendered him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete evaluation of the Veteran's medical records and a need for clarification on whether his service-connected disabilities aggravated his left knee strain.

The Board has ordered a remand for the issue of service connection for a right knee condition, which is related to his service-connected left knee disability. The remand requires obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to inadequate examination and inextricably intertwined with the rating assigned for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a left knee disorder and has remanded several issues related to his right big toe fracture residuals, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, right knee arthritis, and lumbar strain.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right knee, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for right leg disability, other than right knee osteoarthritis. As a result, the Board dismissed this case.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities. The right leg disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent for the right knee disability.