Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear residuals, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% effective February 2, 2018. The right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10%. These ratings are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.,A new VA examination is needed for the Veteran’s lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left knee joint. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with its previous remand directives and a need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have such a condition during or after his military service. The cervical spine and low back disorders are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 28, 1997 for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected right knee arthritis.

The Board denied a separate evaluation for the left knee disability based on locking of the knee and other manifestations of semilunar cartilage, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were already compensated by his current evaluations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and separate ratings are granted for removal of semilunar cartilage (10%) and lateral instability (30%).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg condition, to include residuals of a lipoma, radiculopathy, and right knee disability. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee disability prior to March 5, 2018 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A separate rating of 20 percent was granted for frequent episodes of locking and effusion of the left knee. The ankylosis from February 23, 2018 through March 4, 2018 is considered part of the existing 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder has been reopened and granted.,An increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis is denied.,Service connection for a spine disorder, to include as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, is denied.,Service connection for a left hip disorder, to include as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, is denied.,Service connection for a right knee disorder, to include as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, is denied.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The ratings for right and left knee disabilities were denied, but the Veteran's TDIU prior to November 9, 2015 was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right forearm fracture residuals, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The case is remanded to determine if service connection can be established for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the September 2018 remand directives and thus, a remand for corrective action is required. The Veteran's right knee condition needs to be evaluated again due to increased severity since his last VA examination in August 2019.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability, degenerative joint disease with limitation of motion in flexion, and meniscus condition with locking and swelling, was granted a rating of 30 percent from September 15, 2015. The decision also noted that the Veteran had distinct periods where different ratings applied based on his specific knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right knee disability requires further development due to inadequate examination and remands for an additional VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service records do not show any treatment or diagnoses related to the claimed disabilities. The Veteran's assertions about his military activities causing his current symptoms have been found insufficient by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) is denied as the evidence does not support a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete STRs. The RO is instructed to attempt to obtain missing STRs from all periods of active duty through official sources and potential repositories. They are also asked to provide the Veteran with another opportunity to authorize release of outstanding private treatment records.