Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back condition and bilateral knee pain have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The claim for an effective date prior to November 11, 2017 for the increased evaluation of cervical spine disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability remains denied.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded his claim for service connection of a left knee disability. The appeal remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by painful motion and limited flexion and extension, does not warrant an increased evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating for flexion or a compensable evaluation for extension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee conditions, as well as a lumbar spine condition, are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports. The Board requires updated VA treatment records and new examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disorders due to incomplete information in the record. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is being evaluated, along with whether his bilateral hip and knee disorders are proximately caused or aggravated by his low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left knee strain, and right knee arthritis need to be remanded due to the failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to forward the case file to a qualified clinician who will provide an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU since February 2016, but the claim for prior to that period is denied. The decision focuses on his right knee disability and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability, are remanded due to failure to provide adequate notice regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability cannot be decided without an updated VA examination, and thus is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are granted service connection. However, his back disorder and bilateral knee disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disability have been denied. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran’s claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his back brace, right knee brace, and left knee brace for the 2013 calendar year, as well as for his back brace and left knee brace for the 2016 calendar year. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities causing wear and tear to his clothing.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, chondromalacia, and right knee meniscus tear status post partial medial meniscectomy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are etiologically related to his in-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and major depressive disorder) and a right knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for his scar, right thigh and left knee status post cellulitis has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal through his representative in September 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorder, stress fractures, and low back disorder due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's service records will be reviewed, and a new examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right wrist conditions, finding that his preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability as there was no probative evidence that the Veteran's left knee disability was proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected left thigh disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for the left knee. The Veteran also receives ratings for severe recurrent subluxation and lateral instability, as well as meniscus disabilities with frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion.,The effective date for TDIU has been set at January 1, 2001.