Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a right-hand disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or during service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or during service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and MDD) is remanded due to the need for additional opinion regarding both conditions.,Service connection for a right leg disability, left leg disability, back disability, neck disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and right heel/foot disability are all remanded as there is insufficient examination reports addressing all relevant medical evidence of record.,reasoning_summary

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for left and right knee strain due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran was exposed to extreme physical exertion during his service in the U.S. Army Special Forces (Airborne).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral leg, hip and pelvis, and knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for new examinations. The Veteran was not available for the scheduled examinations and VA is instructed to make another attempt to contact him.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, shin splints, and ankle strain. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with a claim for TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral heel spurs, and mitral valve prolapse due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements and evidence.

The Veteran's right-knee degenerative joint disease, including his patellofemoral pain syndrome and meniscal tear, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation based on limitation of motion after July 29, 2015.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are rated at the maximum available rating, with no additional ratings granted.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is established as part of the back disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion as it was a reiteration of the May 2018 decision, which granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, was rated at 10 percent for the period from March 30, 2012 to April 21, 2016. The Board found that higher ratings were not warranted due to limited flexion and extension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right foot Morton’s neuroma and left knee disability, finding that the current assigned ratings were appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and for an increased rating for her eczema (claimed as a skin disability) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee conditions due to insufficient medical evidence in the July 2018 VA examination. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that these ratings are not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee pain is found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus.,His vertigo is found to be secondary to his service-connected TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to inadequate examination and lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's previous denial of these conditions in 2014 and 2016. The new claim is considered a reopening of those prior determinations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a right knee disability, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hip, knee and foot conditions as secondary to a non-service-connected ankle condition. The direct service connection claims have also been denied.