Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition and bilateral knee condition due to missing medical records and inadequate etiology opinions. The Veteran must provide any outstanding VA or private medical records, specifically from his time in New York and South Carolina after discharge. New etiology opinions are needed to assess whether the disabilities began during active duty and if they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left leg radiculopathy, right leg disability other than sciatic radiculopathy, TDIU prior to April 13, 2017, and reduction in rating of low back disability. The issues will be further examined with new examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is rated at 20% from March 21, 2011. His right knee and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are each rated at 10%, with instability being the primary issue for both knees.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, instability, and dislocated semilunar cartilage have been rated at 10 percent since June 4, 2007. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for basal cell carcinoma on the right shoulder is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 28, 2015 due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right knee chondromalacia and instability, as well as his TDIU claim due to conflicting information about his employment status.

The Board denied service connection for various joint disorders, including arthritis of the shoulders, hands, elbows, and knee, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscectomy and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a separate compensable rating for symptomatic residuals of the meniscectomy from October 18, 2018, but denied an increased rating for his arthritis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The left knee strain and other service-connected conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to unclear dates of service and need for clarification regarding diagnoses and opinions provided in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's left knee, eczema, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), low back/tailbone disability, and headache disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her chronic thoracolumbar strain and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with strain are being remanded due to the possibility of an increase in severity since their last examinations.

The Veteran's knee ratings have not been increased beyond the current 10 percent due to limitations in range of motion and instability, which are currently considered within the scope of the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's left knee limitation of extension is granted at a maximum rating of 50 percent.,The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion prior to February 19, 2020 is granted with a separate evaluation of 20 percent.,The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion from February 19, 2020 is granted with an evaluation of 20 percent.,The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension is granted at a maximum rating of 50 percent.,The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion prior to February 19, 2020 is granted with a separate evaluation of 20 percent.,The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion from February 19, 2020 is granted with an evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was not aggravated by his military service and that any current disorders were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate previous VA examinations and new evidence of home instability affecting the Veteran's left knee.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, specifically regarding the Veteran's left knee patellar femoral pain syndrome. The RO is instructed to obtain VA treatment records and provide a new VA opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left eye disorder and an increased rating for his degenerative joint disease of the left knee are remanded due to incomplete evidence. The Board will seek additional information from the Veteran and consider whether extraschedular referral is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.