Knee decisions — 2020

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

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee strain based on painful motion, but denied an increased rating for instability.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and left knee disability are of sufficient severity to preclude substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU rating from October 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for determining the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA medical examination to provide necessary range of motion measurements.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee and back disabilities due to insufficient examination findings regarding their relationship to service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for right kidney removal, an initial compensable rating for scars status post skin cancer excision, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee arthritis due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for a right knee disability, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension, asthma, right and left knee disabilities, and leg scars are not service-connected as they did not develop during or as a result of his military service.,Service connection for the Veteran’s claimed conditions is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals from a chest wall contusion and remanded the issues of bilateral foot disability and left knee degenerative joint disease. The decision is binding only with respect to these specific matters.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment was denied because he does not have the qualifying service-connected disabilities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by painful limitation of flexion, has been granted a 10 percent rating since June 13, 2005.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's flexion did not limit to 30 degrees at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and right hip disabilities due to a lack of proper consideration of aggravation by his service-connected right knee conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability with subluxation and instability, and left knee DJD with limitation of flexion are not service-connected. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is granted from January 24, 2014. Her claim for an increased rating for right knee degenerative changes based on limitation of flexion and extension is partially granted (10% prior to July 8, 2019; denied in excess of 20%). The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected, but his urinary tract condition and left knee joint replacement are being reviewed further.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status-post meniscectomy prior to September 23, 2019, is denied. However, a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee effective from December 30, 2009, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis have been denied as the current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The claim to reopen a right knee disability service connection is denied because the new evidence does not relate to an unestablished element of the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the disorders being related to his military service.