Knee decisions — 2020

The claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claims to reopen for bilateral knee disability and sleep apnea are denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is established, but not for bilateral knee or sleep apnea. An increased rating of 40 percent for a back disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including headache disorder, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder, abdominal aortic aneurysm, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The decision also found that pre-existing allergies were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee degenerative changes and instability have been denied by the Board, as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee DJD, finding the Veteran's condition manifested by pain and limited range of motion.,The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected gout due to insufficient evidence regarding its severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and hypertension due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations. The issues include flat feet, neuropathy of the lower extremities, knee disabilities, neck disability, and back disability.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for various foot, knee, and leg conditions prior to April 5, 2016 due to a favorable resolution of the issue in May 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for DJD of the left knee is being remanded due to inadequate compliance with previous Board directives and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition as they were not incurred or aggravated by her active military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right wrist, right knee, and right ankle disabilities have been granted at a 10 percent level since February 1, 2013. The appeal is denied as the Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations, specifically regarding range of motion measurements and flare-ups.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated treatment records and an adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, and left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, PTSD and MDD, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, and residuals of a head injury (headaches, epilepsy, seizures) have been granted service connection.,However, the Veteran’s claim for service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking his current condition to his in-service injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, left shoulder, low back, and right hand disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating exceeding 30 percent, from January 12, 2017 to February 4, 2020, and exceeding 50 percent thereafter, for service-connected excision loose body left knee with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right total knee arthoplasty, and left total knee arthroplasty were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine or any other condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lower back disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 13, 2012 is remanded due to inadequate development and compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are linked to his active duty service.