Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability and fracture of the right metatarsal due to incomplete records, including SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's DJD with instability of the left knee was restored to a 20% rating, effective December 1, 2016. Service connection for PTSD was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for right foot and left knee disabilities, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluation for tinea pedis and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for right knee strain were denied as the Veteran failed to respond to requests from VA to schedule him for examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of her right knee strain with non-calcifying fibroma was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that her condition warranted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. Additionally, the claim for TDIU was also denied as there was no evidence showing she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the current disabilities to his active duty service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus, effective March 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and a spine condition due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to service and remands for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 17, 2010 to February 16, 2011, nor did they prevent him from obtaining new skills or knowledge for employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating prior to June 20, 2011 and from August 1, 2011 to October 22, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine, left knee, right knee, and traumatic arthritis disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left knee disability with scar, finding that the evidence did not support a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder (manifested by knots of the underarms and tailbone), and a right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to a missing VA examination report.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of notification for a VA examination and the need to obtain updated treatment records. The Veteran's right knee condition needs further evaluation by an appropriate clinician.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee brace caused wear and tear to his pants in 2018, leading to a clothing allowance for that year.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a combined evaluation due to inadequate examination in his prior appeal. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations to reassess his bilateral knee disabilities, including range of motion and functional loss.