Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's visual impairment is granted as secondary to service-connected migraines.,Service connection for right and left knee flexion, instability, extension, and instability has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back conditions due to insufficient examination reports and lack of private treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied prior to January 17, 2020.,A subsequent increase in the rating to 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee from January 17, 2020 was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his current diagnoses. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant private treatment records, including those from orthopedic specialists, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further evaluation, including a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss and additional medical records for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right patella with degenerative changes and instability, and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left patella due to inadequate VA examination findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service or his service-connected foot disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and a need to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current right knee disability is related to an in-service injury and had its onset during active service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral knee disability, a left foot disability, and a left shoulder disability as there is no evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for a TDIU, and his age and prior employment as a letter carrier prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, knee, hip and foot disabilities have been dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, but the other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions, particularly regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU and SMC consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his tinea pedis, left knee condition, left elbow condition, and left shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete information in his medical records. The Veteran served in active duty, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), and Reserve units. He contends that he injured his knees during ROTC training and while on active duty. Further development is needed to obtain all pertinent records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, vision disability, and neck disability. The appeal was also remanded for further examination of the neck disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims related to his left knee and lumbar spine disorders. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a second grant of an automobile with adaptive equipment is remanded due to the possibility that his first vehicle was destroyed, and he needs evidence regarding its fate.

The Board granted increased ratings for left and right knee instability, but denied evaluations in excess of the current 10 percent ratings for chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease.