Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) on both a schedular and an extraschedular basis from throughout the period of appeal.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's freestanding claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee arthritis and instability, as these issues were not properly perfected to appeal.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and instability have been rated based on their current severity. The Board has found that the evidence does not support higher ratings prior to October 30, 2018.,For his right knee, a recent surgery was performed in June 2020, and an updated VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 4, 2017 and granted a 60 percent rating from February 1, 2019 for his total left knee joint arthroplasty.

The Board denied increased ratings for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated at 90 percent combined prior to December 5, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's right knee and left hip disabilities. The claims are being returned for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and remanded his claims for increased ratings for right knee and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on limitation of flexion or painful motion. The claim for TDIU was denied as his combined disability rating did not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's hepatitis, atrophy arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, lumbar spine disability (arthritis), and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected.,There is no current evidence of hepatitis. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of atrophy arthritis of the upper or lower extremities. Hypertension was not present within one year after separation from service. There is no evidence that the lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, or any other conditions are related to service.

Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, blurry vision, prostate disorder, urinary frequency and right knee disorder is granted.,All other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and analysis. The issue has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain in the knees, attributing it to normal wear and tear of aging. The Veteran's current knee disabilities are not linked to his military service.,There is no evidence of a gastrointestinal disability or undiagnosed illness leading to diarrhea. The Veteran's reported symptoms were inconsistent with medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for frontal headaches prior to July 26, 2018 is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee injury was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection for status post total left knee replacement is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for various service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination for PTSD. The TDIU appeal is also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current left knee disabilities and his military service. The Board also found no secondary service connection based on his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for loss of vision in one eye and tricompartmental degenerative joint disease (i.e., arthritis) of the left knee and leg have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ALS, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, and bilateral knee DJD due to the need for additional examinations and proper development.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement, finding that the evidence did not show severe painful motion or weakness, extension limited to 30 degrees or more, ankylosis, or tibial or fibular impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right foot disability, back disability, bilateral hand and wrist condition, right knee disability, and sleep disorder to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is not granted service connection on the merits as her conditions are currently under review.