Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to increased ratings for left knee disabilities, left ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, and TDIU prior to May 13, 2013. The case is still pending for the remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU and evaluation of left knee, total knee replacement has been dismissed as the effective date for TDIU was already granted in April 2020.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of an increased rating for right foot heel spurs, service connection for residuals, total knee replacement, and a low back disability. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining private medical records related to his bilateral knee surgeries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral ankle disability and a bilateral knee disability due to insufficient examination or opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including a fifth metatarsal fracture, was granted a 10 percent rating. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for her right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for VA examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The remaining issues, including those related to the Veteran's hip condition, back condition, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee condition, high blood pressure, tinnitus, and PTSD, are remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities, including arthritis and meniscectomy/meniscal tear residuals, were denied. A separate rating of 10% was granted for the symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage (meniscectomy/meniscal tear).

The Veteran's service connection claims for dizziness and osteoarthritis of the left knee are granted. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease and spondylosis is denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable initial rating for scar, right knee, status post in-service surgery. The Veteran's service connection claim for post-operative right knee disability with traumatic arthritis was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches and hemorrhoids, finding no current disability due to active service. The claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability were not readjudicated as new evidence was not submitted after the final denial in July 2018.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and ulcerative colitis (claimed as due to tuberculosis) was granted, while her claims for chest pain and left knee disability were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand condition, left shoulder proximal acute fracture, and a left knee condition as secondary to his service-connected right knee meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on the lack of current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, status post medial meniscectomy and left knee ostearthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 22, 2016.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,His left and right knee arthritis are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating possible.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has denied increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, and has remanded the issues of service connection for a left eye condition and obstructive sleep apnea.