Knee decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities as they have already been granted in a previous rating decision. The claim for TDIU prior to February 27, 2015 is remanded and the claim for bilateral ankle disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The claims for hypertension and knee disabilities are currently pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was denied as the current evaluation of 10 percent is considered adequate.,The initial 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from January 18, 2012 was granted. The Veteran’s actinic keratosis claim was also granted due to service connection being reopened on new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic right knee problems during active duty or within one year after discharge. The Board also found that the current right knee disorder is not related to military service and is not secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in December 2016. The new VA examinations conducted in July 2019 did not address the Veteran’s reports of flare-ups, which were previously evaluated as inadequate. Additional opinions are needed regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee, and left knee disorders. The Veteran's claims were also remanded for additional development regarding teeth grinding and sinusitis.,Service connection was not granted for a skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in March 2012 and August 2016. Another remand is required as the January 2020 VA examination did not comply with the requirements of Correia, and an addendum opinion related to the Veteran's March 2012 and August 2016 VA examinations is needed.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. His claims of increased ratings for various disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of recent VA examination for his knee disabilities and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities and scar are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to evaluate their current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records from August 1, 2009 through August 13, 2009.

The Veteran's right knee disability is entitled to a 20 percent rating, but no higher, prior to March 16, 2015.,For the period from May 1, 2016 to September 23, 2016, the Veteran's right knee disability has manifested severe painful motion and is entitled to a rating greater than 60 percent.,From November 1, 2017, the Veteran's right knee disability has manifested severe painful motion and is entitled to a rating greater than 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she and her representative have withdrawn all issues in appeal status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for decision-making purposes. The Veteran must be provided a new VA examination to address whether his left knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and nerve damage of the fourth and fifth digit of the right hand is remanded. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the case can be decided on its merits, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric condition.,His orchiodynia has been manifested by complaints of chronic pain, but no associated impairment of function.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a pelvic bone disability and has denied service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee, sciatica, and back disorders due to a lack of objective evidence supporting these conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to determine if her current symptoms are related to her military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and GERD have been granted service connection. The right shoulder and knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.