Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied entitlement to an effective date prior to May 26, 2010 for the grants of service connection for residuals of TBI with depression, right knee replacement, left knee sprain with instability, right knee scar and left knee sprain with limitation of flexion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorders of the groin and feet, as well as lower back, right shoulder, and left knee disorders. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Ratings were granted or denied for various knee conditions and radiculopathy issues.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities, including chondromalacia status post-surgical treatment and instability, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development of records and unavailability of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right knee disabilities have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand and has ordered the RO to obtain outstanding evidence, contact the Veteran for his current address and contact information, and schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities. The claims are being remanded for these actions.

An effective date of March 25, 2009 is granted for the assignment of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella was rated at 10 percent since March 25, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings on multiple knee and eye conditions is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 60 percent disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scar is granted. The Board finds that his condition had increased in severity prior to May 9, 2016 and thus grants the earlier effective date of July 22, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, leaving no issues remaining for review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee pain, left knee condition, and bilateral knee condition was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the Board found that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service. Therefore, the claims were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his back disability and clarification of his employment history for TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's low back disability has been restored to a 40% rating effective July 1, 2016.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The Veteran's right knee arthritis is considered related to service, but his hearing loss claim requires further examination.