Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees, which is necessary for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for right hip and foot disabilities.,Specifically, the Board finds that additional evidence or clarification may be needed to properly adjudicate these issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's current knee pain did not begin during her active service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of examination, as he was unable to attend the scheduled VA examination. The case is now pending again with instructions to make efforts to schedule an appropriate examination closer to his home.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of various disabilities, including left shoulder, right elbow, bilateral eye, respiratory, neurological, back, knee, leg, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal disabilities. The Veteran is requested to provide authorization for VA to obtain relevant private treatment records and undergo appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is granted at a 70% rating since December 4, 2017. The left knee disability claim was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and remanded the service connection claims. The case is now pending again with additional development required.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and the need for an updated medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for the service-connected painful surgical scars on his lumbar spine, right knee, and lower neckline have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of osteoarthritis of the right knee is granted. The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right-knee condition was caused or aggravated by his left-knee condition.

The Veteran's service connection for thyroid cancer is granted. The claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied.

This appeal of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee conditions prior to and since specific dates is dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee arthritis prior to December 5, 2017, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee laxity since December 5, 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck condition, low back condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, memory problems, and cervical strain. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during the pendency of the claim.,There is no current diagnosis or qualifying pain documented in the medical records provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his left knee patellofemoral syndrome with ACL sprain, as well as his left and right ankle conditions. The VA will obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess the severity of his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded three issues: tinnitus, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran will need to provide information about his treatment providers and any relevant records. He may also need a new VA examination for his right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding his tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in the RO's response regarding a CUE motion, and the Veteran needs to file an SOC with regard to her appeals of CUE in prior rating decisions denying service connection for bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 60 percent, excepting the period from July 17, 2015 to October 31, 2015. A temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery was granted.,Service connection for right and left knee disabilities remains pending as additional evidence or examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, including as secondary to a left knee disability. The case is being sent back for further development, specifically to obtain information about the Veteran’s periods of active duty and reserve service, and to schedule him for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected total left knee replacement disability.