Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. The issues of secondary service connection for heart and bone disabilities, neck disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and evaluation of back disability in excess of assigned ratings are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.,Regarding the secondary service connection claim for a bilateral knee disability, the Board found insufficient evidence linking the knee disability to the claimed in-service injury. The Board also noted that there was no service-connected disease or injury from which the current knee disability could be considered secondary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded his claim for an initial disability rating for PTSD. The decision is final as to all issues decided.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain treatment records from McClellan Air Force Base for the period of 1984-1985, as these records may provide insight into whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis on a secondary basis and TDIU due to the inadequacy of the May 2016 VA opinion. The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is being linked to his left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeals for right ear hearing loss, allergies, viral syndrome, chloracne, bilateral knee disability, PFB, lumbar spine disability, and left hip disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee DJD but remanded the issue of left knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the October 2016 VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain with tendonitis, right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome, and bilateral shoulder strain with bicipital and rotator cuff tendonitis.,Reason: The evidence is at least evenly balanced that the Veteran's joint pains are related to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, low back disability, left and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The claims for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea remain denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective September 28, 2011. A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability is granted. The Veteran's left ankle disability remains at a non-compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and nervous conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of his disability during his lifetime.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, including testimony about the delay in seeking treatment after military service. Service connection for a skin disability is also remanded due to lack of an examination or opinion regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for postoperative internal derangement of the right knee, meniscal tear, and a 40 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's left knee traumatic arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of flexion, is rated at 10 percent and denied an evaluation in excess.,The Veteran's left knee traumatic arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of extension, is rated at 10 percent and denied a compensable initial evaluation.,The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 10 percent and denied an evaluation in excess.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with its October 2019 remand directive. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.