Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to loss of motion and functional loss. His diabetes mellitus, type II has been rated at 20 percent since September 17, 2019.

Your service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability have all been granted. The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no issues remaining for appellate jurisdiction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disorder, residuals of a right knee injury (to include arthritis), and left knee disorder due to lack of credible in-service incurrences or predicates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations, and a new examination is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral eye disorder. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions in the August 2019 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for effective date earlier determinations have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for effective date earlier determinations have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for effective date earlier determinations have been withdrawn.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his bilateral knee service, and thus denied these claims.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his cervical spine service, and thus denied these claims.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his bilateral shoulder service, and thus denied these claims.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his hiatal hernia/acid reflux service, and thus denied these claims.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his GERD service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings adequately reflect the severity of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability is denied as the evidence shows flexion limited to at most 120 degrees, which corresponds to a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of four issues related to service connection for various ankle, ring finger, foot, and knee disabilities due to the Veteran's election into the modernized review system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, finding that there was no showing of compensable loss of range of motion or ankylosis. The already assigned 10 percent rating is based on painful motion.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings of patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and cervical strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right tibial tubercle disability due to inadequate medical opinions and need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee is rated at 10 percent for limited extension, and a separate rating of 10 percent is granted for left knee instability. The ratings for right knee flexion are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of evidence addressing the Veteran's exposure to noise during service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 1, 2010 to April 26, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a direct or secondary relationship to service. The Veteran's current conditions have been attributed to post-service injuries, including a motorcycle accident in 1992 and a slip on stairs injury in 2007.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as they are moot due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further review is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable as a result of his service-connected conditions.