Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU appeal is denied.

The Veteran's right knee and right foot conditions are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.,A 20 percent disability rating is granted for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his left foot injury, painful scar, and linear scar have been withdrawn.,The Board has also dismissed the appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability. The claim is remanded due to new evidence suggesting worsening of the condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a thoracolumbar spine disability due to additional examination being necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) because his service-connected left knee disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to December 12, 2016, for the award of service connection for right and left knee instability disorders are dismissed as they will be addressed in a separate decision once the March 2018 Remand requirement is fulfilled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral hip condition due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the duty to assist was not fulfilled and remands the case for an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional medical records, particularly regarding joint pain other than thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knees, or right hand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and a bilateral leg disability, manifested by pain and swelling, need further development. Specifically, there is insufficient medical opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that there is no evidence of any additional limitation in motion or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as they may be related to his service-connected foot disabilities. The case will need further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hand, and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have been recurrent since then.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and a review of existing ones. The Veteran's conditions include bilateral flat feet, knee issues, neck pain, high blood pressure, stomach problems, diabetes, headaches, nerve disorders in various extremities, all potentially related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as back problem) and a rash on both hands. The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis due to ambiguity in the record regarding whether he has a meniscal condition. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as an element of his increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee and right hip disorders due to a lack of review of VA examination findings.