Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee and hip disabilities due to inadequate examinations, and requests an addendum opinion without the need for the Veteran's presence. The claims are also remanded for a retrospective medical opinion regarding TDIU prior to June 16, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee, status post anterior cruciate ligament repair with residual surgical scar. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to evaluate his bilateral knee disability.

For the period prior to January 27, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,From January 27, 2015, the Veteran has a combined disability rating of 100 percent due to his service-connected conditions. The issue of TDIU is moot as he already meets the criteria for a 100% schedular rating.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records related to the Veteran's right knee disabilities, specifically addressing the impact of flare-ups and repetitive use on range of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The claims include low back, left shoulder, left hip, left knee, right hip, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disorders, heart disorder, respiratory disorder (likely COPD), diabetes mellitus, type II, and lower extremity disabilities. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 18, 2010. The Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as sleep apnea due to incomplete records from the Veteran's National Guard service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate nexus opinion and incomplete military personnel records. The Veteran's right knee condition is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not caused by or related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and low back disorder have been granted. The rating assigned is 0% (no disability compensation).

The Board has remanded the case due to further evidentiary development being necessary, including clarification of VA examination findings and additional opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and a left knee disorder.

The Board has restored the 20% disability ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome from November 1, 2009. The appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. Service connection is also granted for this condition. Ratings have been assigned for left knee instability and painful motion, but the Veteran's right knee and inguinal hernia claims are remanded. The lumbar spine disability rating is also remanded due to new evidence of radicular symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the condition originated during service or is related to any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded two issues: the evaluation of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran must be provided with new examinations to assess his current disability levels, and a medical opinion is needed to determine if his low back condition is related to in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The highest schedular rating of 30 percent has been assigned for the residuals of a medial meniscectomy with instability of the left knee, arthritis of the left knee with limitation of motion, and DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities have been rated based on the symptoms of traumatic arthritis and meniscectomy. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for any period prior to April 26, 2011.