Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.,The Board has determined that new evidence received since the August 2008 rating decision is sufficient to reopen the previously denied claims of right, left knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of the rating criteria.

Effective date of June 11, 2007 for the award of service connection for left knee strain.,Effective date of November 27, 2013 for the award of service connection for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 29, 2007, which is the period under consideration for this appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and other procedural issues.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, low back, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but his other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and left knee disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to provide specific notice regarding potential entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s), based on Buie v. Shinseki, 24 Vet. App. 242, 251 (2011) and Bradley v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 280, 293 (2008). Additionally, a VA medical opinion is needed to assess the Veteran's occupational impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee chondromalacia, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is granted with a separate 20% rating for instability from initial entitlement prior to August 1, 2017 (excluding the period of temporary total disability).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee chronic tears of the lateral meniscus with patellofemoral joint syndrome, right knee limitation of extension, and left knee patellofemoral joint syndrome have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee, left ankle, and sleep disorder disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied a combined rating in excess of 90% since September 26, 2018. The Veteran's disabilities were evaluated and combined according to the Combined Ratings Table, resulting in an overall disability rating of 90%. The claim for a higher combined rating was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining issues related to knee, hip, back, and neuropathy conditions. The left knee condition is found to have been aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities have been rated based on their severity and the criteria for increased ratings were not met.,A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for limitation of extension of the right knee from January 30, 2012, to May 28, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and residuals of a perforated left eardrum as there was insufficient evidence to establish a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion was granted a rating of 20 percent effective May 29, 2019.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was granted a rating of 20 percent effective May 29, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and remanded the respiratory condition claim due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and stomach condition (GERD) due to potential issues with causation and aggravation, as well as a need for additional medical opinions.