Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, respiratory disability, right elbow disability, left leg shin splints, and right leg shin splints as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee disabilities, back disability, and left hip disability. The issues have also been remanded for a jaw disability claim.

The Veteran's asthma with bronchitis claim is denied as the evidence does not show that her FEV-1 or FEV-1/FVC levels meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, manifested by pain, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition are granted as secondary to service-connected hallux rigidus of the right great toe and right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his period of service, and therefore, service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left upper extremity neuropathy. Service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy is not warranted.,For the period prior to May 29, 2018, the Veteran's left elbow disability manifested in arthritis with normal range of motion and no pain on examination. A noncompensable rating is appropriate from that time. From May 29, 2018, a 10 percent rating is appropriate for limitation of flexion.,For the period prior to May 29, 2018, the Veteran's left elbow disability manifested in arthritis with normal range of motion and no pain on examination. A noncompensable rating is appropriate from that time. From May 29, 2018, a noncompensable rating is appropriate for limitation of extension.,Service connection for arthritis (claimed as gout) is remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for residuals of TBI is remanded.,Service connection for headache is remanded.,Service connection for a vision disability is remanded.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.,Service connection for a right knee disability is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The left knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left leg below-the-knee amputation surgery, alleging that he contracted MRSA from another patient while rehabilitating at St. Cloud VAMC following a December 2013 surgery on his left leg.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral great toe disability, bilateral knee disability, scars, lumbar spine disability, and heart condition have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his periods of active duty. An initial rating of 10% is assigned for the left hand fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology after service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current knee disorder is more likely due to age-related wear and tear rather than any incident during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and partial lateral meniscectomy, was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating from January 1, 2011 to March 20, 2012; and from June 1, 2012 to August 27, 2012, for the service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge was not due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus allowing VA benefits. The issues of service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee condition, right knee condition, heart condition, and hypertension due to unresolved issues regarding their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of several issues, including service connection for neck pain and eye condition. The decision on PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain and occasional popping and swelling, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during service and is not related to any in-service event or injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to new evidence obtained from service treatment records and personnel records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and issues related to TDIU. The right knee disability case is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary.