Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has identified errors in the duty to assist and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left foot/ankle, right foot/ankle, left knee, and low back disorders, finding that the current conditions are not related to any period of active duty or inactive duty training.

The Veteran's appeal seeking increased ratings for various conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating based on limited motion at any time during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no medical evidence showing a link between the Veteran’s current diagnoses of arthritis of the left knee and lumbar spine disorder and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically a need for a new VA examination that addresses range of motion testing and flare-ups.

The Veteran's left and right knee conditions were denied service connection. A 10% rating was granted for the lumbar spine disability prior to March 24, 2020, but the claim for a higher rating since that date is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for another examination and opinion regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's left knee disability, including any residual scars from his in-service arthroscopic procedure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and leg length discrepancy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee strain that is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee strain, finding in favor of the Veteran and resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's endometriosis is rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, and her scars on neck and breast are rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of initial ratings for right knee chondromalacia (10 percent) and left knee chondromalacia (10 percent).,The Veteran's low blood pressure claim was denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment due to the condition during the appeal period.,Her right ear hearing loss remains at 0 percent, with a May 2018 VA examination showing her hearing acuity has not improved enough for an increased rating.

The Board has vacated the July 6, 2020 decision that denied service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hip arthritis, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of the cervical spine due to a lack of due process.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder and bilateral knee disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed sleep disorder, including insomnia, and his sleep problems are attributed to his service-connected PTSD. For the bilateral knee disabilities, the Board noted an inadequate examination and remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran and his wife regarding in-service injuries and their ongoing effects.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee disability is granted. The claim for left leg disability, including secondary to a service-connected condition, is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions including a right shoulder disability, chest pains, bilateral foot fungus, a right knee disability, a cervical spine disability, and breathing difficulties. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's increased ratings claims for left and right knee degenerative joint disease based on limitation of flexion, as well as instability, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations, duty to assist errors, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left knee injuries due to lack of new and relevant evidence.