Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a sleep disability, right shoulder disability, lumbosacral myositis and lumbar disc degeneration, left knee tendonitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The cases are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's claims for fatigue, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability were denied as they are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between the conditions and active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is related to service or secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for the right knee disability, and the Veteran is advised that failure to report for the examination will result in his claim being evaluated based on the record.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for residuals of an injury to the left leg and knee, but has remanded both the service connection claims due to the need for additional development. The back disability claim is inextricably intertwined with the left leg and knee claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee osteoarthritis, status post knee replacement, since March 1, 2019 was denied. However, the Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability since March 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is presumed sound at entrance into military service, and the examiner must disregard any evidence suggesting a preexisting condition prior to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from medical professionals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, thus denying entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings and increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities due to a lack of current findings from a VA examination conducted in August 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing clarifying opinions from VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, back condition, and right knee degenerative joint disease. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions prior to death, and that any in-service injuries or exposures did not result in a chronic disability.

The Veteran's right hip flexion and extension have been granted initial 10% ratings, while the left hip strains and left knee strain remain denied.

The Board has denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, right knee, and both shoulders. The decision on the right knee is pending as it was remanded.,Service connection will be granted if the evidence demonstrates that a current disability resulted from an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome due to the submission of additional evidence since the August 2016 SOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to incomplete examinations, lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and further development is needed.