Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral knee and hip conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's left arm condition is also being remanded as the VA examiner did not provide adequate reasoning for the opinion provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for left below the knee amputation residuals, right total knee replacement residuals, right lower extremity muscle and tendon disorder, and bilateral neurological disorders due to inextricably intertwined issues. The VA must obtain a supplemental medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left below the knee amputation and its relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to incomplete records from his military service and private medical providers. The VA is instructed to obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee lateral instability, finding that the evidence supported only moderate instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service from November 6, 2000 to April 28, 2017 was dishonorable and is remanding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral fallen arches, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder due to a lack of VA examination records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis, and left knee tendonitis are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the cases of lower back disability and left knee disability for further examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims for further development and medical opinions. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine, arthritis of the left knee, and arthritis of the right knee as secondary to his service-connected left tibia injury.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and dislocated semilunar cartilage, is rated at 20 percent since July 27, 2020. The right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent effective the same day.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability was granted from July 30, 2008 to July 26, 2020.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which was previously rated at 10 percent prior to October 20, 2010 and then increased to 30 percent from December 1, 2011, is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, headache disability, right knee disorder, and right hip disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and herpes need to be reconsidered based on new evidence provided by VA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. Separate disability ratings of 10 percent each have been granted for limitation of extension in both knees.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), as well as service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear with history of patellectomy is rated at 20 percent since January 9, 2016. A separate 10 percent rating for instability and a 10 percent rating for a painful scar are also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable ratings for right and left knee limitations of extension have been denied.,The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her right and left lower shin splint conditions with patellofemoral syndrome have also been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition. The Board also found that the condition did not manifest within a year of separation from active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded his service connection claims for bilateral knee disorders.