Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, to include scars. The examiner must determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right and left knees is being remanded for further examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to support these claims. Service connection is granted for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders).

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period, with a separate 20 percent rating from March 19, 2018.,A higher initial evaluation of 10 percent or more for the left knee condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, pes planus, and back disorder. The TDIU claim is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of left knee disability, left ankle disability, and psoriasis. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis and back condition are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's painful left elbow is denied as not having a current diagnosis related to service. ,The Veteran's residuals of decompression sickness are denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a heart disorder, left knee disorders, and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with major depressive disorder is now rated at 70% from April 20, 2018 onwards.

The Veteran's low back, right knee, and right foot disabilities are being remanded for review of additional evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded with a request to consider an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to March 23, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and right knee disorder, as well as the claim for an increased rating for hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a spine disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 7, 2010 and increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the examination for right knee disability, and the Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for severe patellar dislocation starting from December 12, 2019. Prior to that date, his conditions were not rated higher.

The Veteran's right TKR, right knee scar, left TKR (secondary to now service-connected right knee disability), low back pain (diagnosed as degenerative disc changes) and right foot drop are all granted. The effective date for the grant of SMC based on loss of use of one hand is set at December 18, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of medical examination and incomplete records. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant private treatment records, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of his spine disability, left knee disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations and for a retrospective opinion on the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, effective from the date of his death. The issue of entitlement to SMC on account of being housebound is considered moot due to the grant of the greater benefit.