Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome with limitation of flexion, as well as right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and attempt to obtain any private medical records from Dr. Williams. A new orthopedic examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions and for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for instability, 10 percent each for limitation of flexion and extension. The Board denied increased ratings as the evidence did not show severe instability or limitations beyond what are already accounted for in the current ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her knee, hip, ankle, and spine disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of increased ratings for various knee and shoulder disabilities, including a separate rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher staged disability ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and entitlement to a TDIU have been denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases as to why higher evaluations were not warranted for his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity nerve disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a left knee strain, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,There were no records indicating any specific events during service that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral leg/knee conditions and his service.

Service connection for major depressive disorder is granted.,Entitlement to a rating of 50 percent for tension headaches on and after November 16, 2015 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, and his increased ratings for right knee meniscal disability, arthritis, and lateral instability prior to November 14, 2018 were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability and PTSD rating is denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective from September 28, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for anal fissures and hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of a December 2017 VA examination, which did not address the Veteran's reports of left knee flare-ups and repeated use over time. The examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion regarding the additional limitation in range of motion during these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to a lack of adequate examination in the previous VA examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's second period of service from May 1986 to October 1992 was other than honorable (OTH), and his character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits.,Service connection for a pulmonary disability, including asthma and bronchitis, hepatitis C, tinea pedis, right ankle disorder, low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are all denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, loss of feeling in upper and lower extremities, and joint failure. The claims are remanded for further development.