Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's disability ratings for left knee instability and loss of extension prior to February 10, 2016 are denied. Ratings greater than 60 percent thereafter for left total knee arthroplasty are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for a right hip disability due to lack of medical documentation during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the issue. The Board has remanded several other issues including peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, skin disability (PFB), bilateral kidney disability, hearing loss, insomnia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and eye conditions.

The Veteran's right knee retropatellar pain syndrome was rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for conjunctivitis was denied as there is no evidence of current chronic conjunctivitis.,Service connection for a right knee disability was remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disability, including on an extraschedular basis, as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and audiogram results.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding gait instability caused by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's total right knee arthroplasty has worsened, and an additional examination is needed to determine the current level of severity.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and hepatitis.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are denied increased ratings. Other service connection claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, kidney disorder, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted. The right ankle and right knee disabilities, as well as the acquired psychiatric disorder, are all remanded for further development.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for a right knee disability, evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for left shoulder strain, evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for left ankle strain, and evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for dermatitis. The case is REMANDED to obtain new examinations that comply with Correia v. McDonald (28 Vet. App. 158) and provide opinions on the etiology of the right knee disability and the severity of the left shoulder, left ankle, and dermatitis disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his alcohol dependence is not service-connected. The low back, hip, knee, and leg disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his right great toe disability and service connection for a left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 2, 2011. An effective date of December 2, 2011 is granted for eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification regarding the Veteran's use of assistive devices and the presence of knee instability. The claims are being remanded for a new examination with an appropriate examiner.