Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for moderate lateral instability, effective October 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for extraschedular evaluations for bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete response from the RO.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was granted. The appeal is granted in part, as the Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis with limitation of flexion and osteoarthritis and right knee patellar tendonitis with limitation of flexion and osteoarthritis are both remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including asking the Veteran to provide additional information about his work at a store and any other attempts he made to find employment between January 2011 and January 5, 2017. The AOJ should consider whether this is an appropriate case for referral to the Director for consideration of a possible extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to missing STRs. The claim for service connection for DM2 is also being remanded as it requires additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,For the right knee and left knee disorders, the Board found that there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and thus denied service connection. The claim for DM2 remains pending due to the need for further evidence on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence or conflicting diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized by limited range of motion and instability, has been granted separate initial ratings for flexion, extension, and lateral instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability, evaluated as 20 percent disabling for patellofemoral pain syndrome and 10 percent disabling for instability, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's back disability appeal has been withdrawn. The right knee, left knee, and right foot pes planus disabilities have all been granted service connection. However, the right shoulder disability remains under review.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

Service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities is denied.,Effective dates earlier than specified are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination of his left knee disorder. The TDIU rating prior to September 26, 2019, is also remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of low back disability (including a fractured vertebra), neck disability, and right knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during or related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and issues related to TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for right leg and left knee/lower leg disabilities due to lack of diagnosed conditions. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral vision loss was also denied as the Veteran's blindness did not result from VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The issues of service connection for residuals of a healed right great toe fracture and a right knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's application for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions and missing SSA records.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and his rating for IBS is increased to 10 percent. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a neck disorder and denied TDIU, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.