Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and edema, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated medical records, personnel records, and verification of in-service events.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including symptomatic semilunar cartilage removal and instability, is rated at a separate 10 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and disability ratings related to various knee conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and post-operative right hip disability have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability is denied as not related to service. Right knee and left knee disabilities are partially granted with various ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, is rated at a combined 30 percent throughout the appeal period. This rating is based on moderate instability (20%) and arthritis with limited motion due to pain (10%).

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as his total knee replacements, were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the Veteran's functional limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. However, the issue of secondary service connection for a right knee condition is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, hip, and back disabilities manifested by pain. The evidence is at least evenly balanced that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the February 2020 remand directives and requires a new VA medical opinion for service connection of left knee and right hip conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder, which is claimed as swelling or damaged cartilage. The examiner should address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for chondromalacia patellar with arthralgia, left knee; chondromalacia patellar with arthralgia, right knee; left hip condition; low back condition; and right foot condition due to new evidence received since the March 2014 rating decision. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to new evidence indicating an increase in severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and any missing treatment records must be obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, but denied his claims for bilateral knee disability and hyperlipidemia. The claim of service connection for hypertension is being remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder (iliotibial band syndrome) and right knee disorder as secondary to his now service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral knee disorders, specifically whether they are aggravated by his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC benefits due to incomplete evaluations of his service-connected right lung and left knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for neck injury residuals and left knee degenerative joint disease due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations that include detailed range of motion findings, including the degree at which pain begins during active and passive motion in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and right knee chondromalacia, effective before and after January 13, 2020.