Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities permanently confine him to his place of residence and immediate premises, which is necessary to decide his SMC claim. The AOJ must also obtain all outstanding records from VA and any private treatment providers.

The Board has denied service connection for various scars and right knee arthritis, finding that there is no current disability or evidence of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the left knee, all of which are deemed to have begun during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of diabetic nephropathy due to inadequate opinions regarding herbicide agent exposure. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including those related to the Veteran's neck disorder, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip disorder, sleep apnea, right knee surgical scar, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain with degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, foot disorders (pes planus, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease), and psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) as the Veteran's current condition was found to be a natural progression of his preexisting femur/hip disorder, which existed prior to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability prior to June 21, 2019, lumbar spine disability from June 21, 2019 onwards, and hemorrhoids. The appeal is based on the merits of these conditions without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder tendonitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and limitation of extension of the left knee due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for more current findings.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, seizure disorder, and mood disorder require the need for regular aid and attendance of others due to their disabling manifestations. The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of higher evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as for instability in both knees. The remand is due to inadequate examinations conducted previously.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected gout of the left and right knees, as well as spondylosis of the lumbar spine due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and right knee disability for additional development to comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, ankle, foot, and sinus conditions due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for her left knee and low back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, vertigo, nose bleeds, chronic fatigue syndrome, left elbow joint pain, left knee joint pain, a heart condition, and gastrointestinal disability. The issues are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran has a qualified chronic disability as defined under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including additional VA treatment records and a June 2019 VA mental disorders examination. The issues include various disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Board found that the appellant's left knee disability, post-arthroplasty, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no limitation of motion or instability beyond what is expected with arthritis and arthroplasty.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a lack of SSA records and the Veteran's withdrawal of a requested videoconference hearing.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition in January 2012, finding no current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim was reopened and granted due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as it is related to his service-connected back disability.