Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for urinary disability, bilateral leg neurological disabilities including peripheral neuropathy, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders due to potential legal changes in how aggravation is evaluated.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic lumbosacral strain, left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, clarification of his dates of service, and further examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, and tinnitus due to potential VA failure to comply with its duty to assist. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his medical history and any relevant lay statements.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for seizure disability, right hip and knee disabilities, left hip disability, and a temporary total rating. The National Personnel Records Center was instructed to search for the Veteran’s service medical and personnel records using her correct name.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee disability with limitation of motion and instability is granted, with a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The current 10 percent rating for limitation of motion remains unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability. Service connection is remanded for left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since January 10, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hip tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee instability are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

A rating of 30 percent for acne is granted prior to July 20, 2019. The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder and knee disorders are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee disorders, as well as a higher rating for his lumbar strain with facet arthrosis and spondylosis. The evidence did not support a direct relationship between these conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low/middle back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, leukemia, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical records are needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service or an injury during INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his knee and ankle disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional lay evidence. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to an incomplete examination report and to schedule another examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending before the Board.

The Veteran's left knee scar was granted a 10 percent rating prior to April 6, 2018 and denied any increase in rating thereafter. A 60 percent rating for total left knee replacement is granted.,Tinea versicolor is rated at 30 percent due to affecting more than 40 percent of the body or exposed areas. The Veteran's tinea versicolor condition is remanded as it may affect greater than 40 percent of his body and exposed areas throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee DJD and right knee PPS disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the RO has denied his claims for increased ratings due to lack of evidence showing more severe disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee condition may be service-connected, but needs more information to make a decision. The VA will try to find a private medical opinion and contact the Veteran if they cannot locate it.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an earlier effective date for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, headaches, left knee disability, right knee disability, and a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 2, 2015 for PTSD are remanded.