Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for retrospective medical opinions regarding additional loss in range of motion during periods of flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, neurogenic bladder condition, and sciatic nerve conditions are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The right ankle and right knee disabilities have also been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The issues of hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic arthritis of the left knee, partial loss and use of lower extremity, low back pain, right knee pain and stiffness associated with traumatic osteoarthritis of the left knee, anxiety disorder, a pain disorder, and major depressive disorder are being remanded for further development. The denial of service connection for PTSD remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied. His claim for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability prior to October 27, 2016 has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and right hip disabilities, as well as radiculopathies of the right and left lower extremities. The remand is due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip, knee, and foot disorders. The claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with the low back disorder claim. The initial compensable rating for right shin splints is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not show flexion limited to a degree more than 30 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's in-service injuries are linked to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in November 2019 was inadequate and did not fully address the Veteran's claims. The case is being remanded to obtain a new opinion from a qualified clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are causally related to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, residuals of a gunshot wound to the left hand, and right leg disabilities. The claims are based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary theories.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disorder, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to their complexity or need for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee impairment is currently rated at 30 percent, which represents the maximum rating under VA regulations. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for cartilage dislocation and frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion since April 19, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion. The appeals for increased ratings are denied as the evidence does not show any additional impairment warranting higher ratings under relevant diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating greater than 30 percent subsequent to August 1, 2016, for a right TKA, a disability rating greater than 10 percent prior to June 2, 2015, for right knee arthritis, and a disability rating greater than 10 percent from January 30, 2013 to June 2, 2015, for right leg limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral eye scars, cervical spine injury, left knee injury, right knee injury, lumbar spine injury, and right hip injury due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating the record with any pertinent VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, left hand, and right hand conditions. The claims for a right ankle condition and plantar fasciitis are pending, while hearing loss and tinnitus have not been established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left ankle sprain, right knee strain, and lumbar strain are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board requires a new examination that includes range of motion testing in active and passive motions, weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing conditions, and an assessment of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee, with limitation of extension, is being remanded due to additional evidence that has been added to the record.