Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination and a need for further analysis regarding whether the right knee disability is related to service or aggravated by the left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, left knee patellar tendonitis, bilateral metatarsalgia, sinusitis, and schizoaffective disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in all cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD has been reopened, and the Board grants this appeal. The issues of service connection for right ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, sleep apnea, and numbness in both arms and the chest are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability or painful motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including a meniscal tear, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and total knee replacement, is linked to an injury sustained in active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted as his preexisting condition was aggravated during active duty training.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's left knee disability, with the opinion being in favor of aggravation beyond natural progression.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, which are currently service-connected.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence to support the claim for left knee strain, and it is denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Tinnitus is also granted as a service-connected condition.,Residual scars from the right shoulder are secondary to degenerative arthritis and are granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, gout, migraine headaches, a left hand disorder, heartburn, a right foot disorder, and a left arm disorder. The appeals were not granted as the medical evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.,Service connection was denied for left knee disability, right index finger disability, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disorder (claimed as left arm abscess).

The claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis is granted. The claim of secondary service connection for the right knee condition due to left knee disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional disabilities including posterior vitreous detachment (claimed as blurred vision), right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, head injury, brain disease due to trauma, left shoulder disability, prostatitis with semino-vesiculitis, upper right quadrant abdominal pain, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disorder and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for her right and left knee disabilities. The evidence did not show current diagnoses or functional impairment.,The Veteran was treated for pain in her feet during service, but no diagnosis was made. Post-service medical records also showed no diagnosed right foot condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease with medial meniscus tear was granted, and he is now receiving the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran also received increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis and TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings. The cervical spine disability was also denied, with a rating of 10% assigned from February 19, 2011 to May 29, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings and incomplete consideration of the Veteran's claims. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that there are no clear errors in the previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability (including strain and arthritis), left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient examination findings and lack of nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for chronic left knee sprain due to insufficient information regarding the severity and frequency of flare-ups. The Veteran's symptoms include pain, weakness, fatigue, and decreased range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for additional examinations.