Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for left knee arthritis, but not for other claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that his current conditions are related to military service and aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left hip, and eye disabilities have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's service treatment records and his lay statements regarding in-service knee injuries. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues include left knee disability prior to January 14, 2016 and thereafter, as well as a TDIU based on service-connected left knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not show a nexus to his active duty.,Claims for increased ratings were also denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran failed to cooperate with VA examinations and thus waived review of additional records.

The Veteran's left knee instability and arthritis have been granted a disability rating, with the instability receiving a 10% rating and arthritis receiving a separate 20% rating. The limitation of extension from February 20, 2018 has also been granted.

The Veteran's bruxism is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, TBI residuals, and bilateral chronic myogenic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with the Veteran's address and need for additional medical examinations. The claims are related to a psychiatric disability (PTSD), bilateral pes planus, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied because the evidence did not support a finding that his left knee disorder began during or was caused by his active service, and there was no indication of fault on the part of VA in his treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left thigh scar was withdrawn. The claim for latent tuberculosis infection was denied as there is no evidence of active tuberculosis during or after service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disorder were remanded due to insufficient evidence, while the claim for left leg and thigh disability (varicose veins) was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee disability were denied. The RO granted a 20% rating for the left knee disability effective August 14, 2019, but denied any higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied, with the highest possible rating already assigned (10%).,An increased rating for the right knee partial LCL tear prior to August 15, 2016, and from October 1, 2016, is remanded due to evidence of worsening symptoms.,Service connection for headaches is also remanded as there is no VA examination or opinion regarding this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need to determine if temporary total ratings for convalescence are warranted following the Veteran's left knee surgeries. The claim will be further developed to address these issues.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims related to increased ratings for various osteoarthritis conditions and knee disabilities. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, but has remanded his claims for hypertension and GERD as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but the issues remain unresolved as they are still being reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including arthritis and tibial stress syndrome in the left knee, are rated at 10 percent for each knee. The right knee is rated at 10 percent, while the left knee with instability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.