Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for skin cancer, bilateral knee arthritis, and right kidney removal due to VA radiation treatment. The issues include obtaining additional medical records from private facilities and conducting further examinations of the Veteran’s knees and kidneys.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period from January 19, 2005 to August 10, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for effective dates earlier than January 26, 2015 for PTSD, TMJ syndrome, and tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and bilateral knee disability were granted service connection.

The Veteran's left knee arthralgia and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been rated based on their current manifestations.,The Veteran is entitled to a separate rating for slight instability of his left knee, but not an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disorders pre-existed service or were aggravated by it. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty with a surgical scar was reduced from 60 percent to 30 percent, but the reduction is void ab initio due to procedural errors. The Board has restored the original 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's left index finger laceration scar residuals and chemical burn scars. The low back disability issue is also linked with other service-connected disabilities, requiring further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board has determined that new evidence received since the final August 2011 and August 2009 rating decisions relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and entitlement to TDIU prior to June 25, 2019 due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for syphilis is dismissed.,Service connection for a bilateral knee condition and a bilateral hand/wrist condition are denied.,Service connection for hypertension, migraines, microcytic anemia (due to Camp Lejeune water exposure), and myelodysplastic syndrome (due to Camp Lejeune water exposure) is not established.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence supporting this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims for various joint and back pain conditions. The Veteran's STRs are to be obtained, and VA medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no decision was made on the merits of the claim.

The application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is dismissed.,The applications to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, jaw disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, scars as residuals of hernia surgery, a dental condition, a lower back condition, and a left foot condition. Service connection was granted for PTSD.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further examination of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder as it had already been granted in a previous rating decision.,Service connection was denied for bilateral knee disability, hypertension, and headaches.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, including arthritis in his neck, back, and knees. The main reasons are missing medical records and improper grouping of disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, left knee condition, low back strain, and migraines. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.