Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for service-connected right knee disability and service connection for left knee disability, to include as due to service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's appeal remains on hold until further action is taken.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hips, knees, left shoulder, and thoracolumbar spine as there was no evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee joint osteoarthritis does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding an MRI or arthroscopy for the Veteran's left knee. The claim is being returned to the RO for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a left knee disorder, lumbar/thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease as secondary to the right knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the left knee as secondary to the right knee disability, and hip conditions (right and left) are all granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to August 31, 2018 or since then. Service connection was also denied for umbilical hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right elbow strain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound, left knee condition, right elbow condition, and left elbow condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis and lateral instability, is rated at 40%.,The Veteran also received a separate rating of 10% for limitation of flexion from October 27, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a right elbow disability. The reasons include needing to verify all periods of active service, obtaining missing DD-214s, and requesting additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disorder, low back disorder, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and skin disorder due to concerns about the adequacy of the medical opinions provided. The VA is instructed to obtain a new opinion from a clinician regarding whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, arthritis of the left knee, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the lower extremities, and residual scarring from salivary gland surgery have all been denied. The effective dates for service connection grants are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease, spinal spondylitis, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) remain on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from April 1, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to July 31, 2007 and from July 31, 2007 to January 31, 2016.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for prostate condition, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and left knee disability. The claim for residuals of head injury is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The lower back disability issue is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions and obtain any outstanding private treatment records.