Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires a clinician to consider the Veteran's statements about in-service parachute jumps causing his knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequacies in prior examinations and the need to assess additional functional impairment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including headaches, right knee disability, and shortness of breath.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was productive of level I hearing acuity in the right ear and level II acuity in the left ear at its worse throughout the rating period on appeal.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is based on the results of the February 2012, July 2014, and December 2019 VA examinations. Based on the audiological test results, a compensable rating is not warranted for this time period.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is based on the results of the June 2019 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is based on the results of the June 2019 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected skin disability (skin tags) is based on the results of the July 2019 VA examination. An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed skin tags.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected joint pain (left elbow and/or shoulder) is based on the results of the June and July 2019 VA examinations. An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed left shoulder and left elbow disabilities.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left-hand disability is based on the results of the July 2019 VA examination. An addendum medical opinion is needed to determine whether the left-hand disability was incurred in service.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and he receives an initial rating of 20% for left knee instability. He also receives initial ratings of 10% for right and left foot hallux valgus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee limitation of motion is denied. A separate 30 percent disability rating, but no higher, for right knee instability is granted.,The issue of TDIU is remanded and jurisdiction needs to be clarified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development related to his right knee disability, specifically after the expiration of a temporary total evaluation period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence submitted since the last decision. The AOJ must review this additional evidence and readjudicate the cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the bilateral lower extremities and a lung disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education, prior work history and training.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's contention that his left knee disability is caused by overcompensation from his service-connected right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical evidence and clarification of his disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left hip disabilities, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's parachute jumps during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his right shoulder dislocation, right knee medial meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran opting for Higher-Level Review under the AMA.

The Veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for a right knee condition, a right ankle condition, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection for hearing loss, prostate disorder, bladder disorder, and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The right knee disability claim is related to a service-connected condition, while the PVD claim involves exposure to Agent Orange.