Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or during the presumptive period, and that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for several service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff disability, spine strain, hallux valgus residuals, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and a scar from the right great toe. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knees, as well as his wrist tendonitis, have been denied. The case is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and hip disabilities are being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bronchitis, a kidney condition, a lumbar spine disability, right foot arthritis, left knee arthritis, and a deviated septum. The claim of service connection for DMII secondary to bilateral knee and foot disabilities and/or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 60 percent from March 19, 2018 to March 18, 2019 for total knee replacement. Prior to this period, he received separate ratings for degenerative joint disease and meniscal tear.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, hypertension, bilateral knee conditions, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left and right knee conditions. The new evidence submitted since previous denials is considered material as it relates to the basis of the prior final denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia, and lumbosacral strain have been denied. The rating of 10 percent has been maintained for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied the claims for extraschedular ratings for right knee instability and semilunar lunar cartilage condition, finding that the Veteran's disability picture was not so unusual or exceptional in nature as to render the schedular evaluation inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide any outstanding treatment records and will be scheduled for a new VA examination with an orthopedist.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for his right knee disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His initial compensable evaluation for right shoulder tendonitis prior to January 16, 2013 and subsequent evaluations in excess of 10 percent since that date are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to comply with prior directives.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not require him to be in bed or unable to perform daily activities.

The Board has decided that the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability is remanded due to new evidence being added to the record since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his depressive disorder is denied. The Board also granted the Veteran's TDIU claim, finding that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD have been granted increased ratings, while the hip and knee conditions remain at noncompensable levels. The Board has remanded for further development regarding earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting an increased evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for right knee strain with medullary bone infarct proximal diaphysis before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right thumb disability, left eye disability, and tinnitus due to inadequate examination opinions.