Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal on the issues of left and right knee disorders, and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied, but her right knee disability is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for respiratory condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to incomplete medical records and inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, a sleep disorder (RLS), and a headache disorder (migraines) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a scar of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent prior to May 29, 2018 and higher than 40 percent from that date for low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a separate evaluation for bilateral sciatic radicular pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed left ankle and bilateral flat foot disorders. The issue of whether a TDIU is warranted is also referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his in-service injury. The claim will be further evaluated with a VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. However, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee arthritis has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including sarcoidosis, PTSD, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, bilateral shin splints, and headaches. The appeals are pending further adjudication.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and extension, instability, and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, is currently rated at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for instability and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage are granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left elbow condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a link between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right knee condition and erectile dysfunction are denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee injury is granted. The claims for initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability have been granted service connection. The claim for chest pain is being remanded.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran’s right knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability as secondary to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a urinary disorder is denied.,Service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety has been expanded to include all psychiatric disabilities diagnosed. The claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records and need for an examination.,Service connection for right hip DJD, left hip DJD, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, right ankle DJD, left ankle DJD, right foot DJD, and left foot DJD is remanded as secondary to a low back disability. Service connection for right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, right hand disability, and left hand disability is also remanded as secondary to a cervical spine disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinion. Service connection for skin disabilities is remanded due to incomplete records of private treatment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU rating is inextricably intertwined with the other claims and must be deferred.

The Veteran's back disorder, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. The back disorder is considered to be directly related to service due to a motor vehicle accident during service. Bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not presumed as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service. Hearing loss is presumed due to acoustic trauma during service.

The Board dismissed a motion to revise a 1992 decision denying service connection for arthritis of the left knee due to lack of written pleading.