Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and back disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding functional loss and symptomatology related to the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee replacement prior to December 17, 2019, is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development. The current opinion from the September 2013 VA examiner may be based on an inaccurate factual history, as it was conducted prior to the Veteran's 2016 total knee replacement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.,Specifically, the Board finds that substantial compliance with its previous directives has not been met in several areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disorders, as well as right and left knee disorders. The issues are related to his reported long hours performing strenuous duties as a boatswain mate during military service.

The Board has determined that the VA did not substantially comply with its August 2018 remand instructions and thus, the cases are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 30 percent rating.,An initial rating of 30 percent for Major Depressive Disorder prior to July 6, 2015 was denied. However, from July 6, 2015 onwards, the Veteran received increased ratings up to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot, ankle, knee, wrist, leg venous insufficiency, and sleep apnea disorders. The issues have been remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, a chronic left wrist disorder, a chronic left knee disorder, and a chronic lower extremity disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for lower back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). Additional evidence is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's mental disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including an upper-GI disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a right hand disorder, a low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are based on direct service connection rather than any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, as well as a right knee disability, were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and degenerative arthritis due to a lack of recent medical evidence and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shoulder and knee conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was already granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all four issues (bilateral foot, left knee, bilateral arm, and bilateral calf conditions) has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the issue regarding the bilateral foot condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee instability and arthritis due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to reassess the severity of his disabilities, including testing without a brace and with weight-bearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his need for assistance stems primarily from his non-service-connected cyclical vomiting syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied as a matter of law. The Board also remanded several other claims related to the Veteran's right knee, gastrointestinal condition, psychiatric disorder, low back condition, radiculopathy, chronic sinusitis, and headaches.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including respiratory and sleep disorders, left shoulder disorder, neck spasms and radiculopathy, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and heat edema of the right lower extremity. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a DRO hearing, and requesting expert opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.