Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, frost bite of finger and toes, gout of knee and feet, and lupus due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The case is now returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for left knee disability due to locking. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on issues of service connection and rating for various conditions, including macrocytic anemia, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, peripheral neuropathy (secondary to macrocytic anemia), sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, stress and alcohol abuse dependence; mild head trauma with blackout; menorrhagia claimed as vaginal bleeding; lower mouth, swelling; lump on the left side of neck; lump behind the left ear; sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, claimed as nasal congestion; skin trauma and abrasions, right arm; and skin abrasions of the right elbow, bilateral knees and upper back.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to new evidence being added to the Veteran's file that needs to be considered by the AOJ.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 20 percent for instability of the right knee and increased ratings for limitation of extension before August 14, 2018, and from August 14, 2018. A higher rating for limitation of flexion is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of medical opinions on record.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition was reopened and the Board found that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran, thus granting the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, right knee strain, and left knee strain due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is rated at 40 percent, and his right knee instability is rated at 10 percent. The Board denied both claims for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions, specifically failing to schedule and conduct a VA examination as requested in January 2020.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 60 percent disabling from October 8, 2019. The case is being remanded to obtain additional clinical information and review the Veteran’s medical records.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, with a separate rating for painful extension. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right foot metatarsalgia, a right knee condition, and a left knee condition due to lack of adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, joint disorder, and neurological disorder due to new evidence and further examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with impingement is granted a rating of 20 percent from December 11, 2012. Other service-connected conditions are denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of various orthopedic conditions, including low back, bilateral hip, knee, and shoulder issues. The Veteran was also granted Social Security disability benefits in 2012.

The Board has determined that the current record does not contain an adequate nexus opinion or sufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's bilateral knee claims are remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee replacement, finding that it was caused by his service-connected left leg fracture. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral elbow disability, and right shoulder disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.