Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right and left knee instability are rated at 10 percent each, effective July 31, 2014. Ratings for degenerative arthritis of the knees remain at 10 percent each since December 10, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee and/or left shin splint disabilities were incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, but denied service connection for a right ankle disability. The decision is subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to re-open claims for service connection for post-operative knee conditions, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and lower back condition. The claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is also remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left hip and right knee conditions, as the previous examinations are inadequate for rating purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's left knee condition. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine and right knee conditions have been denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation higher than 10 percent for arthritis of the right knee prior to February 4, 2019 and for instability of the right knee as of September 13, 2017. The remand is due to inadequate VA examinations in June 2016 and June 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the occupational impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the etiology of left meniscus tear and Baker's cyst, which are diagnosed left knee disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and that arthritis was not manifest within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his ankle, foot, and knee disabilities. The issues of peripheral neuropathy are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A compensable rating was granted for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and residuals of right ankle fracture were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressor. The Veteran is also scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional evidentiary development due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's current conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left hip disability (claimed as arthritis), and left knee disability (claimed as arthritis) are not supported by sufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions and for additional development, including a new VA examination of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, low back condition, bilateral knee and ankle conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The decision also remanded the claim for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Veteran's right knee total replacement is rated at 30 percent, with a separate 20 percent rating for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The left knee chondromalacia is rated at 10 percent, and the chronic dislocation of the right knee remains denied.