Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s left knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of motion does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his chondromalacia patella of the left knee with instability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. His left total knee arthroplasty is rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to the use of bilateral knee braces, back brace, and wrist braces have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance as his service-connected disabilities do not result in the requisite loss of use of hands or feet, nor are his braces certified by the Under Secretary for Health or designee to cause wear and tear on articles of clothing.,The Veteran's claims were remanded due to missing records including the September 2017 decision, April 2018 Notice of Disagreement, Statement of the Case, Substantive Appeal, and Application for Clothing Allowance forms.

The Board has remanded the claims for reopening service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and new evidence is needed.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated based on limitation of motion, with a separate rating for meniscal tear.,A TDIU claim is also remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address the severity of his bilateral knee disorders, neurological abnormalities associated with service-connected lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis are now before the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for psychiatric disability, headache disability, left and right athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, and right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is to be provided additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to SMC at the rate authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) from November 29, 2008 due to his service-connected benign pituitary adenoma with diabetes mellitus and adrenal insufficiency.,The Veteran is also granted entitlement to SMC at the rate authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) from January 8, 2009 as he has two of the rates provided in subsection (l) without considering the same condition twice.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various hip and knee conditions, as well as bilateral lymphedema, due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating of 10 percent or more for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and left ankle fracture residuals have been rated, with some issues granted and others denied. The decision is mixed as it includes both granted and denied elements.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee ligamentous injury with degenerative joint disease and left knee impairment due to an inadequate VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral elbow disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), right shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for painful motion, and the issues of higher ratings are denied.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issue of a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder has been reopened and remanded. The claims for left knee disability, flat feet, depressive disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right hip disability, and history of left ankle fracture are also remanded.