Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected left inguinal hernia residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran’s hernia scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.,Service connection was denied for bilateral shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee disorders due to lack of evidence supporting their existence or causation by service.,Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss.,Service connection was denied for tinnitus as the Veteran did not report having it during his STRs and medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disability, as well as his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU based on coronary artery disease and other disabilities, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and further evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand and thus the appeal must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his right knee, cervical muscle sprain, chronic lower back strain with degenerative joint disease at L5-S1 (lumbar spine disability), and right shoulder strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of each disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending claims.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 10, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent from February 10, 2020 for a low back disability.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to February 10, 2020 for GERD.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the period from February 10, 2020 for IBS and GERD.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a compensable disability rating prior to February 10, 2020, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from February 10, 2020 for a left ankle disability.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a compensable disability rating prior to February 10, 2020, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from February 10, 2020 for a left wrist ganglion.,The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for right shoulder disability based on new and material evidence has been dismissed.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as he does not meet the VA standards for a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, elbow disorder, wrist disorder, hip disorder, knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder (other than right ankle sprain), shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and service.,The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disorder has also been remanded as no VA examination addressing the direct or secondary theory of entitlement was conducted.,His claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for shin splints, left leg and right leg have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various hip and knee conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder, all secondary to the Veteran's right ankle disability. The claims are now pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, bilateral hip conditions, and ischemic heart disease due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his active duty service.

The Board has ordered the case remanded due to issues related to the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation and employment services, including his current limitations from service-connected disabilities and feasibility of changing his career goal.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not fully address the Veteran's claims for service connection, and thus the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20% prior to July 22, 2015 and reduced to 0% effective July 22, 2015. The claim for a higher rating remains before the Board.,The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20% prior to November 1, 2016 and reduced to 10% effective November 1, 2016. The claim for a higher rating remains before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to insufficient medical evidence in the record, particularly regarding the relationship between his current right knee disability and his active service, including multiple parachute jumps during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior Board remand orders, including the need for a new functional capacity evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining additional medical records to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee replacements.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and the need for a new opinion on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the service connection of right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his total left knee arthoplasty, is rated at 60 percent from July 1, 2012 to May 16, 2019. The claim for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for fibromyalgia is denied. The appeals for service connection for deviated septum, hand arthritis, foot arthritis, right knee disorder, rib pain, positive ANA, thyroid disorder, and gum surgery are dismissed. The appeal for a higher initial rating for painful scars, right breast, is also dismissed.