Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for a separate rating for semilunar cartilage dislocation in each knee due to insufficient examination findings and medical determinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the knees include arthritis, instability, and crepitation.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal within 60 days of the SSOC.,The claim for an increased rating for left knee disability was dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal within 60 days of the SSOC.,The claim for service connection for a right knee disability, secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, has been granted in full.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left knee, right knee, and neck disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board dismissed the issues of increased ratings for left knee total joint replacement, painful scar of the left knee, and multiple scars of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted beginning December 1, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee osteoarthritis and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for right knee instability from September 24, 2015. A TDIU is granted effective July 24, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations for his lumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, left shoulder, residuals of a mild concussion, bilateral hearing loss, plantar warts, left knee and femur, right foot disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, respiratory disorder, cardiovascular disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and residuals of an allergy to bee sting.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence shows the condition began during service and has been recurrent since then. The appeal is based on merits rather than reopening.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is granted service connection, and her polyuria and dysuria claim is dismissed. The Veteran's initial increased rating for right shoulder myofascial pain syndrome remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, including gastritis, is granted as new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection for the duodenum condition, colon condition, abdominal hernia, left knee condition, and skin conditions are denied due to lack of in-service event or disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis, status post repair of ACL and meniscus was denied. However, the Veteran was granted a separate 20 percent rating for his left knee semilunar cartilage condition with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but the other issues related to left knee instability and range of motion are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's service records show complaints of pain during service but no current diagnosis or disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 2015, and the effective date for his TDIU is set at June 7, 2018.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided to the Veteran are inadequate and remands several issues for further development, including a new examination for hypothyroidism and cardiac arrhythmia. The claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, hypoglycemic seizures, lumbar strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, mitral valve prolapse, and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a left knee disability and found that it had its onset during active duty. The decision is based on new evidence showing current diagnosis, in-service symptoms, and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of examination of the left knee and an incomplete evaluation of the right knee.