Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's symptoms and their relation to service.

Service connection for a headache disorder and TMJ is denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or causation during service.,Compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to lumbar spine surgeries is denied due to lack of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for numbness, fifth finger right hand is granted with a rating of 30 percent effective April 2, 2012. The claim for a higher evaluation in excess of 30 percent beginning January 4, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis of the left knee and right knee are both remanded.

Service connection for memory loss is denied. A rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for depression is granted effective August 20, 2012. The claims for increased ratings for left hip osteoarthritis with limited extension, left knee chondromalacia, radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied as a matter of law.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The increased rating claim for lumbar spurring and spondylosis with degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for left foot, middle toe amputation; right-hand disability; right knee disability; left knee disability; and left shoulder disability due to lack of proper notification regarding scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence received since the last SSOC in September 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unemployable by reason of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, left hand and right hand disorders, and left knee disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a left knee disorder other than radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran does not have these conditions due to service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition due to outstanding private medical records not being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to attend these exams.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for a left hip condition and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right knee, left knee, back, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II disabilities. The issues are remanded due to a lack of SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the right ankle fracture. The Board has remanded cases for further examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability as of February 23, 2011. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence indicated moderate instability prior to June 9, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteochondritis dissecans was incurred during his period of active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic low back pain was denied as there is no evidence of a low back disability related to his military service.,The Veteran's depression rating was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with occupational and social impairment in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's left knee disability ratings were denied as they do not exceed 10 percent due to pain, limitation of motion, and slight instability without further functional impairment.,The Veteran's right knee disability ratings were denied for the same reasons as his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service pain.