Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, right leg (knee), and low back disabilities due to lack of medical evidence supporting a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders. The decision does not specify the rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and right ankle sprain residuals are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new medical evaluations to determine the extent of his functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically traumatic arthritis with painful motion during flexion and instability, is now rated at 30 percent effective May 31, 2014. The issues of increased ratings for the other conditions are not addressed as they were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee conditions, finding that his current diagnoses are related to his MOS duties as a plumber during active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus and increased ratings for several knee and hip conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia patella and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of instability or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran's hypertension, headaches, sinus disorder, bronchitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's chronic strain and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, as well as his bilateral knee condition (left and right), are granted service connection. However, his initial compensable rating for lumbar strain is granted from January 13, 2010 to September 21, 2014, but denied thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the current medical opinions. The Veteran's private physician opined that his current left knee disability could be related to his injury during service, but this is not sufficient to grant the claim as it does not meet the threshold legal standard of proof.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage. The appeal is denied for any higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands for another examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear, including his reports of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is incomplete and remands for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including limitation of flexion and instability. The claims are also remanded for consideration of the appropriate effective date and initial rating for any instability in the bilateral knees.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The claims of service connection for various conditions, including TBI, seizure disorder, lower back disability, and others are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, including diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, hole in the palette (mouth), cyst in eardrum, left shoulder disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The records from San Diego VAMC and Fort Bliss VAMC are requested, as well as any SSA records related to his disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 14, 2017 is remanded due to incomplete employment history and lack of information on his training and skills. The Veteran needs to provide a VA Form 21-4192 and additional information from previous employers.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a left knee disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions.