Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to service or any other compensable condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, IBS, and migraines. The issues are related to new evidence submitted since his last decision.,The Veteran’s attorney indicated that he had not received a statement of the case on these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroparesis is granted as it was incurred secondary to his service-connected T-Cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The claim for a GI disorder other than gastroparesis is denied, and the claim for fatigue is also denied. The Veteran’s left knee disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew her appeals for a higher rating on right knee disability, service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea. The Board dismissed these issues as the Veteran wished to withdraw them.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection, and his left knee arthritis and instability are granted increased ratings. However, a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees have been denied. The evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder has also been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to an inadequate VA examination. The new examination must consider the Veteran's prior medical history, including his in-service vehicle accident and ankle sprains.

The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2017 VA examination report and the need for a new one.

The Board has remanded the case for further development by the originating agency.,Service connection was denied for a left wrist disability, low back disability, right wrist sprain and status post ORIF right wrist fracture (right wrist disability), and left knee strain (left knee disability).

The Veteran's right and left knee lateral instability and osteoarthritis have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent, effective July 7, 2010. The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are rated at 20 percent from November 6, 2017.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability may be related to service, but needs further examination and opinion to determine its etiology. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right elbow and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinion in the previous decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of onset or causation in service.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to SSA disability benefits is based on his service-connected conditions, and these records are necessary to properly evaluate his claims.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various knee, leg, shoulder, wrist, and back conditions due to exposure to herbicides because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied. Ratings in excess of 10 percent were not granted prior to June 17, 2019 and from that date onwards a rating in excess of 30 percent was also not granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of service connection for various foot, knee, cervical spine, shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim for increased ratings can be adjudicated. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examination results.