Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in excess of 50 percent for major depression, and in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for VR&E services due to a need for further assessments and evaluations, particularly regarding his current employment capabilities and feasibility.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right and left knee chondromalacia due to inadequate examination, specifically lacking measurements of range of motion under 38 C.F.R. § 4.59.

The Veteran's right ankle and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of increased severity since the last evaluations. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the issues regarding the right ankle and left knee.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability of his knees. The case is returned for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of chronic knee disorder in service or within one year thereafter and concluding that his current knee disability is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's back disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and hemorrhoids have been granted ratings. The back disability is rated at 20 percent, the left hip disability at a noncompensable rating, the right knee disability at a noncompensable rating, the migraine headaches at a 30 percent rating, and the hemorrhoids are not compensably rated.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee arthralgia, and skin disorder as there is no current disability shown with respect to these conditions. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or residuals from service-connected conditions. The Veteran's prostate cancer was in remission at the time of service connection.

The Board has denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.,The Veteran's skin condition, tinea versicolor, was rated at 30 percent due to the affected area being between 20-40% of his total body or exposed areas. The claim for an increased rating was denied as he did not meet criteria for a higher rating under the new regulations.,The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, and no higher ratings were granted due to lack of evidence supporting additional functional loss during flare-ups, repetitive use, or pain.

Service connection for headaches is granted. An effective date of March 27, 2013, is assigned.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted. An effective date earlier than March 27, 2013, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's in-service injuries are presumed related to his active service. Service connection was denied for residuals of a left hand mass removal due to lack of evidence showing a compensable degree of disability within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to TDIU and DEA benefits prior to October 16, 2010 due to unresolved questions regarding the Veteran's employment status.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative joint disease was denied. The Board has remanded the issue to allow further development.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine condition remains pending and is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral ankle, lumbar, hip, and right knee disabilities, as well as a hernia and chronic left scrotum pain. The Board found no direct or secondary service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to her right wrist disorder, chronic lumbosacral strain, left knee chondromalacia, and arthritis of the right knee due to inadequate examinations in prior VA evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his knee disabilities, plantar fasciitis, radiculopathy, and lumbar spine degenerative disk disease due to insufficient evidence or need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder was denied. The initial rating periods for the right knee disability were granted, but not in excess of the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5258.