Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee disability prior to October 4, 2011, and left knee disability prior to May 1, 2012, is denied.,The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition and remanded his claim for a rating increase for his left femoral acetabular impingement syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain, left knee arthritis, and left ankle arthritis due to inadequate examinations that did not address flare-ups of the disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, but remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea).,Service connection is granted for left knee arthritis based on x-ray evidence showing degenerative joint disease within one year of separation from active service. Right knee arthritis is also granted due to continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's sleep disorder claim requires further development, including a new opinion regarding the timing and onset of his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left hip and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations, specifically regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repetitive use. The VA is instructed to schedule new examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee condition is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and treatment records, as well as insufficient etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's erectile dysfunction. The Veteran is service connected for hypertension and other conditions that may be related to his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's right knee disability, previously evaluated as degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 20% since November 7, 2017. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability, status post total left knee arthroplasty, is currently rated at 30% since February 1, 2018. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's residual scar from his left knee surgery is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease at L4-S1 is denied as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of the conditions warranting a higher than 10 percent rating.,A separate 10 percent disability rating is granted for slight lateral instability of the right knee from July 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate duty to assist and failure to apply the presumption of soundness. The Veteran's right knee disorder needs further examination and evidence collection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year after separation. The current diagnosis is mild osteoarthritis, which the VA examiner opined was not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the claims for secondary service connection for lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left knee patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints, right knee patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is required because of inconsistencies in the medical examinations provided by VA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of psychiatric disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and personal assault stressor claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are related to whether these conditions are secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, left hip, and right hip conditions due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee conditions due to conflicting opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, penile disability (manifested by erectile dysfunction), gastrointestinal disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed left knee disability or penile disability (manifested by erectile dysfunction) within the appellate period.