Knee decisions — 2020

The claims to reopen the previously denied service connection claims for various conditions have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, but denied the petitions for service connection of low back, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,Service connection for a right knee disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his lumbosacral strain. Additional evidence is needed from private providers and VA records are to be obtained. A new examination is required to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied, but her claim for bilateral knee strain is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee subluxation and degenerative joint disease due to new VA treatment records and a VA examination report being associated with the case.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities result in loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring the use of a walker for mobility. The Board has granted specially adapted housing eligibility based on this permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise and grants service connection based on the Veteran’s reports of military stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete records, particularly regarding the Veteran's military personnel records and VA treatment records from the Chattanooga VA clinic. The issues of service connection for knee conditions and heart condition are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional records related to his in-service assault on a Military Policeman. The issues of service connection and TDIU are also being addressed as they are interrelated with the threshold matter concerning the character of discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions due to a lack of examination. The Veteran's current disabilities are currently present, but an in-person examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability and back condition, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee replacement warrants a minimum 30 percent rating. A higher rating is not warranted as he does not have ankylosis, limitation of extension of the knee, or impairment of the tibia and fibula.,The criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for deep vein thrombosis have not been met as the disability resolved prior to the filing of the appeal.,The Veteran's heart disability is remanded for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for painful limited flexion, and a separate 20 percent rating is granted for instability/subluxation. The right knee disabilities are also rated at 10 percent each.

The Veteran's PTSD with PDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating from March 6, 2012 through June 11, 2019. The TDIU issue prior to June 12, 2019 was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 21, 2009 for service connection of left knee disability and left knee DJD status post total knee replacement are denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim for these conditions prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip, left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament, left knee degenerative joint disease with painful motion, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.