Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is denied for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, left hand and finger disability, lumbar degenerative disc disease and arthritis, medial synovitis and medial plica syndrome of the left knee, anterior pain syndrome of the right knee, other stressor and trauma related disorder, psoriasis and dermatitis, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diarrhea, and lung condition. The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded for further evaluation, and his claim for TDIU is also being remanded due to the potential impact on his employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, vertigo, acid reflux, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease. The issues of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee arthritis and left knee instability, as they need additional medical records to be considered.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and left upper extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are denied. Service connection for the left trigeminal neuralgia is granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and left knee instability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective May 27, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities resulting in severe physical limitations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination or opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, cervical spine, and right shoulder disorders are remanded due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower/middle back disorder and left knee disorder due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right elbow lateral epicondylitis, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of motion are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations of record are inadequate and do not comply with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease are being remanded to obtain new examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right leg disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 9, 2013 or 30 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address due process issues and obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's employment prospects. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as service connected.,His major depressive disorder is found to have been aggravated during his deployment, warranting service connection.,There is no evidence of a kidney disability at any time related to the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left knee and vision disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected chronic right meralgia paresthetica.,The Board also denied service connection for a back disability, including as secondary to service-connected chronic right meralgia paresthetica and a claimed right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, sinus, and sleep apnea conditions due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's statements about his symptoms are considered credible.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, including those from Community Care Consult, Pathways Acupuncture, The Core Institute, and fee outpatient records. Additional examinations are needed to assess the full range of motion for the Veteran's left knee and thoracolumbar spine.