Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his left shoulder and right knee disabilities, as well as for a determination on increased SMC. The claims for increased ratings remain on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and that the current disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's SMC claim is remanded as the VA has not conducted an examination to determine his daily personal assistance needs attributable solely to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings for scar, left knee status post meniscus repair and onychomycosis, bilateral great toes as they are no longer relevant due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to missing VA examinations and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's left knee ankylosis is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5256, and a higher evaluation for his other conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted with a 10% rating each, effective prior to March 29, 2019.

The Veteran's hearing loss disabilities in both ears and low back disability are granted. The right knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed a notice of disagreement regarding his service connection claims for bilateral knee disability, anxiety/depression, and headaches. As such, the appeal is reinstated.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but not granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss. The VA will need to obtain medical records, conduct examinations, and provide a new decision based on the additional evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to missing medical records and uncorroborated in-service stressors. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records, including from SSA and private providers, and to schedule a PTSD examination if corroborated stressors are found.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a left ankle disability, eye disability, thyroid disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability (reopened), right knee disability, left knee disability, headaches, and hemorrhoids, are being addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of total knee arthroplasty of the bilateral knees and residuals of lumbar injury, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and low back condition, both secondary to his right knee degenerative joint disease. The remand requires an updated VA examination to determine if there is any incremental increase in disability due to the right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disabilities, and right wrist arthritis have been granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the rating of left leg lymphedema, initial compensable rating for right thumb degenerative joint disease, service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete examination and treatment records, and for a new spine examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been rated as 20 percent and 10 percent disabling, respectively, since September 13, 2011. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.,Higher ratings were not granted for the Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis or left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's testimony of potential continuity of symptoms shortly after discharge from service. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining additional private medical records.