Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to September 18, 2019.,The Veteran's request for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee strain from September 18, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's left ankle strain and right ankle strain are both remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disorder and instability is denied. A separate 10% rating for left knee instability is granted, but the claim for TDIU remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they are related to his military service.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the entire appeal period. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee sprain and hypertension are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board found that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 60% rating from March 16, 2010 to February 1, 2018. The claim for an increased rating after April 1, 2019 is denied. TDIU prior to February 2, 2018 and TDIU from April 1, 2019 are granted.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right leg disorder, and left leg disorder as these conditions are not shown to be related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability secondary to right knee disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was also denied.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of a right knee or left knee disability, nor any link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service dates and training status, particularly for his right knee injury in July 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination in prior VA examinations conducted during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including a need for updated VA treatment records, new examinations, and consideration of all symptomatology.

The Board has remanded four claims: PTSD, left knee internal derangement, skin disorder, and TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD may have worsened since the last examination in November 2016, and VA treatment records indicate moderately severe depression and very severe PTSD symptoms. Remand is also requested for obtaining private psychological treatment records and pertinent private medical records from Florida Sports and Spinal Rehab.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support her contention that her current left knee condition is related to military service or caused by her service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are remanded due to the failure of VA to provide proper notice and scheduling for examinations. The issues will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his now service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right knee condition, characterized by daily flares of pain and swelling exacerbated with use, resulted in a 7 degree reduction in flexion and a 28 degree reduction of extension. The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the time period from December 7, 2015 to January 6, 2020.

The Veteran's tension headaches are characterized by very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability prior to September 4, 2019. A 50% disability rating is granted.,Since September 4, 2019, the Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty has been characterized by chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness. A 60% disability rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations and opinions to address whether the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions. However, the remaining issues of service connection for cervical spine, lower back, bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, and bilateral upper/lower extremity neurological disabilities are remanded for additional development.