Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a groin disability is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions. The claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disabilities require additional development due to inadequate examination and remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to his service or running in unsupportive shoes during basic training. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA examination and the Veteran's contention of knee instability. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated private or VA treatment records, and an appropriate VA examination will be conducted.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied as it did not have its clinical onset in service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability was denied as it did not have its clinical onset in service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's right ankle disability was denied as it did not have its clinical onset in service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's right knee disability was remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 10 percent or more for his left knee DJD was dismissed as he withdrew the issue in writing.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active duty and are not attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, entitlement to a higher rating for CFS, and entitlements for urinary incontinence and gynecological disabilities due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the remand directives have not been complied with and therefore a remand is necessary to ensure compliance. The Veteran's knee conditions need further examination, including an opinion on whether they are caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a right knee condition, and a back condition due to insufficient development of evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including in-service medical records from Korea, and provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these disabilities and service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the elements of a secondary service connection claim as his right knee disability had not been established.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, including consideration of instability. The decision is binding only with respect to this specific matter and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right knee disability (limitation of flexion), and bilateral foot disability have been granted. The appeals for the issues of service connection for eczema and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis status post anterior cruciate ligament repair are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's active duty points indicate that the incident occurred during ACDUTRA, but the examiner needs to determine if this is related to service.