Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 23, 2018. However, the Board notes that there is no verification of his work history, so further development is needed to determine his employment status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.,An effective date prior to January 2, 2016, is denied for all awards of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service. The Board also found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection was also denied for COPD, as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, right foot, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of in-service diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's representative did not provide specific arguments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurobehavioral condition and bilateral knee condition are not service-connected due to lack of evidence. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is required to obtain relevant medical records from military hospitals in Germany, as well as VA treatment records. A new VA opinion is needed to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding post-service treatment and symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there was no diagnosed right knee condition throughout the appellate period and that the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for skin disease was reopened and granted.,Claims for chronic nosebleed, acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability were denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee condition, including service connection for various secondary conditions and a rating increase. The Veteran is also seeking an earlier effective date for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of kidney cancer, a right lower extremity disability other than a right knee disability or peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and restless leg syndrome have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's right knee instability and meniscus condition are rated at 20 percent, effective from April 18, 2017. The Veteran also receives a 30 percent rating for his right knee limitation of flexion.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the left knee disorder from December 17, 2019, effective as of that date.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully assess and adjudicate the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of left ankle ligament strains, service connection for a right knee disorder, entitlement to TDIU based upon service-connected disabilities, and entitlement to special monthly compensation. The Veteran will need to undergo updated VA examinations and possibly additional treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her active service or her service-connected left hip tendonitis.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for individual unemployability and a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to July 21, 2014, and there was no evidence of worsening in her service-connected disabilities between July 21, 2013, and July 21, 2014, such that she became unemployable during this period. The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are now pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis and eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The appeal for service connection for a right ankle disability (including fracture residuals) secondary to right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis and sleep apnea is remanded.