Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the April 2015 decision. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and residuals of wisdom teeth removal, including nerve damage due to lack of VA examination and insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination for rating purposes, and ordered a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, liver transplant, and a kidney disorder associated with diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or causation. The right knee disorder claim was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic bilateral knee disorder in-service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for accrued benefits, increased ratings, and service connection are all partially granted. The decision on accrued benefits is mixed as some issues were denied while others were granted. Increased ratings for CAD, right knee disability, fracture residuals, ED with impotency, and hearing loss have been granted or denied based on the date of death. Service connection for tinnitus has also been granted. SMC at housebound rate and based on regular need for aid and attendance have been awarded from specific dates. The TDIU was granted effective February 5, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis has been rated at 10 percent since March 30, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and shoulder conditions must be remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for renal condition, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,These issues are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on their merits.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate previous examinations, particularly regarding the impact of flare-ups and pain on use.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including low back, knee, ankle, and foot injuries, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to determine if the Veteran's service-connected scleroderma disability manifests with other disabilities and whether any non-service-connected disabilities are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected condition. The claim will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis, but the other issues related to ankle, knee, and spine disorders are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, an upper and lower back disorder, hypertension, and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, skin disability (claimed as a rash on forearm, elbow, calves and eyelids), and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's conditions and their relationship to his military service. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, back condition, neck condition, or cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since June 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as the flexion was limited to 60 degrees and extension to 10 degrees, with no additional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his tinnitus, lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, left ankle sprain, and dermatitis. The Board will consider the evidence in light of the applicable rating criteria.