Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for further examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right knee disability has been granted at a 30 percent level prior to January 19, 2016 and at a 60 percent level since March 1, 2020. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee condition, to include osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis was reopened and granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also granted.

The Board has vacated its previous decision denying service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability due to a procedural error in not considering his in-service complaints of bilateral knee pain. The case is now remanded for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and right knee disabilities are also granted. The Veteran's increased rating claim for spondylolisthesis L5-S1 with arthritis remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination due to inadequate information regarding flare-ups and functional impairment during such flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition and a left knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, and hip disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the September 2017 VA examination. The examiner failed to address whether the Veteran’s claimed disabilities are related to his conceded in-service fall from a helicopter while serving as a dog handler.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still pending as it was remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ring finger and right knee disabilities are not related to his service, specifically due to a dishonorable discharge. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back condition, left knee condition, and right ankle condition due to insufficient rationale in the July 2019 VA opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability remains denied.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to increased ratings on an extraschedular basis for various back and knee conditions as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the last SSOC, and a new supplemental statement of the case must be issued.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee limitation of motion, lumbar spine disability, and right hip degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left-knee disorder, with degenerative joint disease due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his conditions are related to service. The claims will be remanded for VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's total left knee arthoplasty residuals from June 1, 2018, based on severe painful motion and weakness.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current neck condition is not related to his military service.,The Board granted restoration of a 10% rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of spine disorder, left knee disorder, and left foot disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and a skin disorder, finding that the disorders are not related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.