Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for low back disability, residuals of a right arm burn, left knee disability, sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, diabetes mellitus, type II, and insomnia. The appeals are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's left shoulder strain, including medical records from recent treatment. The right knee instability rating remains denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the right thumb nail deformity and limitation of motion. The cases for increased ratings for the left knee disability, right knee disability, and TDIU are being remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's right jaw nerve problem, right eye condition, and left knee joint osteoarthritis are remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left knee disability due to incomplete STRs and non-compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis should be evaluated at a higher rating, but needs further development to ensure proper testing of his range of motion.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle status post fracture is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's rating for status post left total knee arthroplasty from January 1, 2015 to February 20, 2020 and from February 21, 2020 are both denied due to lack of evidence supporting ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a need for retrospective medical opinion regarding right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and consideration of his claims, particularly regarding the motor vehicle accident in May 1988. Additional VA opinions are needed to address the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations addressing his functional impairment resulting from service-connected somatic symptom disorder and orthopedic disabilities, including degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected condition. The Veteran failed to attend a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current right knee conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of flexion and extension, as well as slight instability from a torn meniscus repair, is now rated at 10 percent effective May 16, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability and limitation of motion, as well as bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 19, 2018 or a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability, service connection for right lower extremity disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.