Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a secondary service connection opinion for the left knee disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her left knee disability as being related to her service-connected hammer toes and pes planus.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to polycystic ovary syndrome, right arm disability, right elbow bursitis, chronic otitis externa, duodenal ulcers, and other conditions. The Veteran is also required to submit a completed application for increased compensation based on unemployability (VA Form 21-8940).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's knee conditions are being reviewed again with a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as right and left shoulder disorders due to incomplete records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation of a previous VA examiner's findings and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case will be reviewed for any current left knee disability, its relationship to service, and whether it is aggravated by another condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and assessing their current severity. The issues are being remanded due to failure to schedule necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The left and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 29, 2011, for grant of service connection for left knee strain with DJD and right wrist tenosynovitis with DJD. The issues of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with DJD and right wrist tenosynovitis with DJD are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disorder, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral foot disorder (paraplegia) as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions were denied. The lumbar sprain and cervical spine degenerative arthritis prior to August 24, 2011 are rated at 20 percent each, but not higher. Other conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right shoulder, left shoulder and bilateral knee disability claims before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, and TDIU due to in-service service connection issues and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 60 percent for palmar keratoderma with xerosis, pruritis, and dermographism is denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for left knee meniscal tear with chondromalacia and right knee joint space narrowing are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including knee and ankle conditions as well as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, require additional medical examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and left foot conditions, finding that these conditions had their onset during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and hip DJD were granted service connection as they are considered direct service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's right foot and left foot disorders, other than pes planus with plantar fasciitis, have not been linked to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee condition, and neck condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran served as a casket bearer during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in forming opinions on causation.