Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not caused or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, vision loss as secondary to diabetes mellitus, headaches as secondary to diabetes mellitus, a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and right knee disability. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of onset during qualifying service or any related disease or injury in service.,The Board also denied service connection for these conditions based on secondary service connection to diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and headaches, but denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome and 0 percent for limitation of extension. The Board finds additional development is necessary due to the significant worsening of his right knee disability, including a recent partial right knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI, Right Shoulder Disability, and Right Knee Disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 7, 2010 do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is denied, and the effective date of the current 10% rating remains May 29, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal of his right knee condition was dismissed as he withdrew all remaining issues on appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. The issues are related to the rating assigned for his service-connected right total knee replacement.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and hip disabilities, including a rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis, an earlier effective date for increased ratings, and evaluations for surgical scars. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability (strain and osteoarthritis) due to new evidence received since the September 2015 rating decision. The case is remanded for further development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and initial disability rating was denied. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage (meniscus impairment). A separate 20 percent rating has been assigned for recurrent subluxation and lateral instability since April 2018.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability prior to November 2016, and for obtaining any outstanding records from Dr. Monmouth.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and service connection for a sleep disorder due to potential inconsistencies in VA examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder began during service or is otherwise related to his service.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left big toe disability. The Veteran's low back and hip disabilities are granted, but the knee and shoulder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis prior to February 17, 2016 did not warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent due to limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's lay statements indicate that his symptoms began during or shortly after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for right knee conditions.