Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right knee scars are not associated with underlying soft tissue damage and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran’s low back disorder or left knee disorder are related to service. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity for an examination.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with depression, which may be related to his in-service motorcycle accident. A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.,VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis and instability.

The Veteran's left femur fracture with scars and knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for the entire initial rating period from June 24, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating remains before the Board.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are each rated at 10 percent, as the evidence does not show more than limitation of motion.,The Veteran's kidney stones are currently rated at 30 percent due to recurrent stone formation requiring diet therapy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left knee disability, and diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, IBS, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica. The claim for hypertension was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings in January 2018.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to December 20, 2018 and at 20 percent thereafter. The effective date for the separate award of LLE radiculopathy has been granted from July 19, 2018.,The Veteran's left knee DJD and right knee DJD are both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's increased ratings for numbness of the left foot and great toe, as well as residuals of a cyst excision of the left knee area, are denied. The Veteran’s service connection claims for Hepatitis C, prostate cancer under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, right knee condition, herniated lumbar disc (claimed as lower back condition), and TDIU are remanded.,The VA examiner is to provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a compensable rating for his service-connected conditions has been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The left knee disability remains rated at 10 percent, while the left pectoral recurrent cyst continues to be rated at zero percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims regarding the ratings for his left knee replacement and left ventricle hypertrophy with mild dilation of the left atria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for instability of the right knee, but denied higher ratings for limitation of flexion and episodes of locking and swelling.

The Veteran's right knee and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and information about the VA-contracted examiner who conducted a recent examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as the VA medical opinions indicate he can maintain employment with some accommodations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to pre-decisional errors. The focus of the decision will be on the evidence at the time of the October 2019 decision, and she may file a Supplemental Claim with additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for right knee injury and left knee injury residuals is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted with a rating of 10% effective June 26, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, headaches, and asthma. Service connection was denied for a right knee disability.,For PTSD, the Veteran's initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 17, 2014, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee ACL tear. The case is being remanded to schedule a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 50 percent, but the Board has remanded his claims for TBI residuals and related issues due to new evidence. The right knee disorder claim is also being remanded.