Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to June 5, 2019, as well as a higher rating thereafter. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or chronicity of care post-service that would support service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a current disability. The case is remanded to attempt to obtain relevant private treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, tinea pedis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right foot disorder, and a left foot disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent since December 1, 2011.

The Veteran's right hip and right knee osteoarthritis disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information from a previous VA examination and for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for right knee instability beginning September 17, 2015 and for a right knee meniscus tear from April 9, 2014 to October 9, 2019. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee meniscus tear beginning October 10, 2019 was remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was shown to be present within a year of separation from service. Service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee are denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology post-service. Service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and bilateral knee conditions, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2016.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's daughter, K.J., is granted helpless child benefits on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support before attaining the age of 18.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development. The issues of service connection for back condition, left hip disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The claim for hypertension is also remanded as it may be related to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Service connection for a respiratory disability manifested by shortness of breath is remanded due to the presence of additional service treatment records that may affect the VA examiner’s opinion.,The right knee disability is remanded as it may be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee disability, and hiatal hernia, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. Right, tinnitus, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The remand includes requests to obtain VA, DoD, and private treatment records; authorize release of any outstanding private treatment records; and schedule updated VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back condition and has not had one at any time during the pendency of her claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The right knee condition and major depressive disorder are both remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left foot tarsal tunnel. The right hip disability and bilateral knee pain are remanded for further examination.