Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, left hip, and left knee disabilities due to lack of a medical opinion linking these conditions to his military service. The same is true for his prostate and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been properly evaluated, and further examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his knee conditions, radiculopathy, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to missed VA examinations and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, back disability, diabetes, and others, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a bruised kidney with hematuria, irritable bowel syndrome, and left knee condition.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has any current disabilities related to her in-service injuries or conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee DJD conditions have been denied. The Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine condition has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right foot, right knee, left knee, and dental disorders due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and right leg disabilities are not related to service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tremors of the right hand and arm, as well as his bilateral knee disorder. The VA will provide medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected right wrist disability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, left knee strain and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to undergo these examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because the VA did not obtain updated treatment records and conduct adequate examinations.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is granted as incurred in service. Ratings for recurrent right knee subluxation or instability, right knee meniscus tear, and partial right knee meniscus removal are granted with specific periods of time.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to his left knee disability and consequent alcohol abuse. The issue of entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as no benefit remains to be awarded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected lumbar facet degeneration with sclerosis and DDD, left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, cervical spine (neck) disability with muscle spasms, left shoulder disability with nerve damage, and left hip disability have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, joint swelling and stiffness, bilateral knee disability, back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at November 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the record, specifically regarding the VA knee examinations used to determine a higher rating for limitation of motion associated with degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The Veteran's disability rating remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection, effective October 13, 2016.,Claims for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD were also granted, but the effective date is set at October 13, 2016.