Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated as noncompensable, and his left knee disability is rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded the case for further development.,For the period on appeal, the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left knee disability have not been met. A separate 10 percent rating for painful motion of the left knee due to osteoarthritis is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The claims will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder due to their potential secondary relationship with the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted service connection. The left knee strain rating is denied, but a separate evaluation for instability is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is not service-connected.,Right knee arthritis has been granted as service-connected, but the rating remains at 10%.,Left knee and bilateral foot disabilities are not service-connected.,For the period prior to December 10, 2010, the initial rating for CAD was denied (rating is currently 10%).,For the period after December 10, 2010, a higher rating for CAD remains denied.

The Veteran's increased rating for retinal pigment epithelial changes of the left eye and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and requests for a new one. The Veteran's left knee disorder is being reviewed again as it may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee post meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 40 percent from April 11, 2019 to March 11, 2020.,A higher rating for the period prior to April 11, 2019 and after March 11, 2020 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the appellant's functional impairment during flare-ups and following repetitive use over time.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, as well as her chronic right shoulder sprain, are service-connected. However, due to new evidence related to her eye condition, the case is being remanded for further review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative left knee disorder was denied. The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s flexion was limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his degenerative arthritis of the lower back prior to July 2, 2015, in excess of 20 percent; and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied. The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s flexion was limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records, determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service, and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with depressive disorder NOS and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the combined effects of his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to work.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected, while his acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee problems are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased disability ratings as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for TDIU, higher disability evaluations for left total knee arthroplasty, and SMC. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess her functional impairment due to her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her employability.