Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right knee disability due to new evidence and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has found the initial disability rating for left knee joint osteoarthritis and the TDIU claim to be remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and hypertension are related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis and lung and breathing problems due to PTSD should be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for a right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and PTSD. The remaining conditions are not addressed in detail as the decision is on appeal.

The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to July 5, 2016 for the increased 10 percent evaluation for his left knee disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, right ankle chronic lateral collateral ligament sprain, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, left and right leg amputations above the knee as secondary to diabetes, and chronic back pain due to incomplete development of his service treatment records and personnel records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, arthralgias of multiple joints including lumbar spine, feet, ankles, and knees, and TDIU due to inadequate examination and medical opinions. The Veteran is advised that he may be required to undergo further examinations if he does not cooperate with VA’s attempts.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluation for bilateral plantar fasciitis, service connection for sleep apnea and low back disorder, and service connection for a left knee disorder. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and medical opinions are obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee scar, residual of shell fragment wound, from August 30, 2004, finding that the evidence did not support an increased rating due to moderately severe disability.

The Veteran was awarded a TDIU from February 1, 2008 to November 4, 2008; January 1, 2010 to October 31, 2012; and January 24, 2014 to April 8, 2014 due to his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and secondary service connection for a right knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to noise, which led to his current tinnitus, and the aggravation of his pre-existing left knee condition resulting in his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings is remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation of his lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disabilities, and scarring. The goal is to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted. The case is being remanded for further development to ensure proper consideration of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for back, neck, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to an improper Substantive Appeal submitted by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability prior to June 23, 2010, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a compensable rating for right knee instability prior to June 23, 2010, or a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease and scar are being remanded for further evaluation due to the age of the last examination, reports of progressive worsening, and missing relevant medical evidence.