Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and causation of the Veteran's left knee disorder. The VA examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with plantar calcaneal.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is granted as service-connected due to in-service wear and tear. The respiratory condition (pneumonia) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee disability, joint stiffness (claimed as bursitis), headaches, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to exposure in the Gulf War.

Your initial rating for right knee osteoarthritis has been increased to 20 percent effective April 2014. The appeal seeking a higher rating for your right knee condition is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, tailbone disability, bilateral knee condition, bilateral foot impairment, bilateral ankle disorder, right foot calcaneal spur, and residuals of a pilonidal cyst excision. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury playing football.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 30 percent, his right knee retropatellar pain syndrome and instability are each rated at 10 percent, and he has a separate 10 percent rating for his right knee scars. These ratings are effective from the date of the claim in June 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disorders due to insufficient medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the claims file after the statement of the case was issued.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and an initial compensable rating for hypertension due to outstanding private treatment records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete records and need for clarification from VA examiners.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including her total knee replacement and removal of semilunar cartilage, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic renal failure, headaches, left knee joint osteoarthritis, right knee scars, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding records from SSA and private providers, as well as VA treatment records. A new VA examination is also required for each of these conditions to ensure an accurate assessment.

The Veteran's increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board finds a remand is required to obtain new examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine condition, left knee disability, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee chondromalacia and TDIU was denied. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10% prior to September 21, 2017, and 20% from that date onwards.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury. The right knee disability claim was also denied as secondary service connection is not warranted.,Service connection for the right knee disability was denied because there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and any current condition is not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as they are not related to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with myositis.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's current conditions had their onset during service or are caused by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the aid and attendance rate.