Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for increased ratings and TDIU, as these issues have been resolved by a prior rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities and the claim for TDIU due to lack of VA examinations. The cases are now pending with the appropriate examination.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, which required a total arthroplasty, is service-connected as it began during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and an increased evaluation for his right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic right hip or knee disorder during active service, and the medical evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities were related to service.,For the period prior to June 4, 2015, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent. The Board found no basis for an increased evaluation as there was no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's current right knee condition was not incurred due to a documented in-service injury, and the Board found no link between his service and his current disability.

The Board has denied increased ratings for lumbar spine strain and bilateral knee arthritis, with the case being remanded for further examination of the knees.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The TDIU issue is still on appeal from September 9, 2013 to June 5, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and left foot disorder. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for chronic sinusitis and deviated nasal septum was also denied.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be related to current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board denied an increased rating for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than 10 percent prior to April 3, 2015 and as of June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been granted a 60 percent evaluation for total left knee replacement from January 1, 2017. The criteria for limitation of extension have been met since May 31, 2011 and the Veteran is entitled to a 50 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the pending service connection for a right knee disorder. The RO must also adjudicate her TDIU claim and determine if she qualifies for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the issues of entitlement to initial increased disability ratings for service-connected iliotibial band syndrome of the right and left knees. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions, requiring an addendum medical opinion on the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and/or bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board’s previous directives regarding examination for his service-connected right knee and leg disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for sleep apnea are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.