Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a failure to provide adequate pre-decisional duty to assist. The issues include gastroesophageal reflux disease, thoracolumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, left wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), left knee disability, right knee disability, and right elbow disability.

The Board denied service connection for back, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for additional development to assess the severity of his condition, including any flare-ups and their impact on function. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its connection to the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and for a physical examination, as well as consideration of a temporary total rating due to convalescence following surgery. The Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by strain, meniscal tear, and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability due to incomplete development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, and his left and right knee osteoarthritis are both granted service connection. The increased rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the ratings for left and right knee conditions, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee strain, upper digestive disability (GERD and chronic indigestion), and lower digestive disability (IBS and chronic diarrhea) have been granted service connection.,New evidence has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his daily functioning. The Veteran needs an addendum opinion from a physician to determine if he is substantially confined or requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a bilateral eye disorder, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and multiple joint disorders. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations, obtain additional records, clarify the nature of the Veteran's claims, and attempt to corroborate in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's claims: initial compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for a respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma), service connection for residuals of a right shoulder acromioclavicular separation, and service connection for a right knee disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability and left knee instability due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for service connection of right and left knee disabilities due to his oral withdrawal during a personal hearing. The low back disability appeal is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage and lateral instability, is rated at 10 percent. A separate rating for painful limited motion is also granted. The total left knee replacement remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent for the varus deformity of his right knee is granted. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from October 8, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for partial hysterectomy residuals and a right knee disability due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and readjudication due to new VA records being added to the file.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues (back disability, left knee and right shoulder disabilities, bilateral foot disorder, and headaches) are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a parathyroid disability, kidney disability, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral knees. The Veteran's parathyroid disability is not related to his service or asbestos exposure.,The Veteran’s kidney disability was also not found to be related to his service or asbestos exposure.