Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and DEA prior to October 13, 2015 due to issues being inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current disability and an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability due to additional development. The Veteran's right knee strain is already rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of her service-connected left knee disabilities were denied due to her failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU prior to January 25, 2018. Since then, his PTSD symptoms worsened significantly, making it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims. The Board affirmed the denial of these claims in multiple decisions.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis was remanded due to the failure to consider recent VA-contracted examination results in the Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, head injuries, left eye welding burns, sleep disorders, low back disabilities, knee and ankle issues. The appeals are related to in-service exposure or other direct causes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee, finding that her current condition is related to her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of back disability, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the right knee scar claim has been granted. The other two claims remain pending as they are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are attributed to age, weight, heredity, repetitive stress injury, or athletics.,For the increased rating claim, the Board found that the Veteran’s left arm disability with muscle atrophy and elbow ankylosis warranted a 50% rating effective May 16, 2019. The Board noted that prior to this date, the condition was rated as 40%.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient VA examinations and missing service records. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being evaluated for possible secondary to PTSD, and his left knee condition needs further examination.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection. The initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, effective from March 21, 2014. Bilateral hearing loss, headaches, acid reflux, residual scar, right knee disability, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatica (left lower extremity), and sciatica (right lower extremity) have been dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee disability and need for SMC are being remanded due to the need for a compliant VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected chondromalacia patella with subluxing of the left knee and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease with Baker's Cyst and limited flexion due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee flexion disabilities, as well as extension disabilities, were denied initial disability ratings in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent for the period from July 8, 2011 to March 4, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and a new VA medical opinion regarding service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities.