Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia), GERD, tinnitus, bilateral shoulder pain, low back pain, left knee pain, a right knee disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder are all remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 10 percent rating for low back syndrome, as the Veteran's claim was filed within one year of his discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the last decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional records, specifically SSA disability records and private treatment records from a back surgery at Nevada Spine Institute.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back strain, bilateral knee injuries, and bilateral ankle injuries due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for service-connected degenerative arthritis, right knee, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to evaluate his current level of severity for these disabilities. If denied, the case should be returned to the Board.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and special monthly pension benefits were denied as he does not meet the criteria for these benefits due to his service-connected left knee arthritis.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disorders due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and from June 7, 2012 to September 3, 2019, he receives a separate 20 percent rating for his meniscal condition. The higher ratings are granted based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted. For the period prior to May 1, 2014, his left knee was rated at 30 percent; from July 1, 2015, it was rated at 60 percent. For the period prior to August 21, 2012, his right knee was rated at 60 percent; from October 1, 2013, it was also rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including painful motion and kneecap dislocation, is rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a right shoulder disorder, a right knee disorder, sleep apnea, and a skin disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for chronic lumbar strain, service connection for arthritis of the right knee (secondary to his service-connected back disability), and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional development including new examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding functional impairment and history of knee instability during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of the claims as they are no longer in a valid state.

The Board has decided that the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability needs further examination and opinion due to an inadequate addendum from the VA examiner. The Veteran's testimony regarding his in-service injury and post-service pain is considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been remanded due to the lack of new and material evidence.,The request for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as there was no communication or submission of evidence from the Veteran indicating intent to apply for benefits prior to May 28, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been remanded due to a lack of examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition has been remanded due to a lack of examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for GERD, left knee injury residuals, and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.