Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for a right knee disability prior to April 27, 2015 and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability. The Board dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and left knee disorder are granted service connection, but his right foot disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities, and will consider new evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and meniscectomy residuals, is rated at 30 percent effective October 10, 2013. A TDIU was granted prior to July 28, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability due to inadequate examination findings. New examinations are required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings related to his right lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, and left knee degenerative joint disease require additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability symptoms more nearly approximated instability of mild severity.,The Veteran's right knee disability symptoms more nearly approximated instability of mild severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was aggravated by service, but more evidence is needed to determine if there is a causal relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, and increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, hypertension, and left knee disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or other factors listed in § 4.40 or § 4.45.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, finding that her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 2015.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disorder was granted. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence linking the current right knee disorder to service. The rating for his lumbar spine disability has been increased to a higher level.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and related secondary conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the primary issue of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence addressing whether the Veteran's right knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically low back, right hip, or bilateral lower extremity conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide proper notice and scheduling for an examination. The Veteran is required to report for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and readjudication. The issues include various disability ratings, service connection for hernia of the esophagus, and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee DJD with meniscal tears, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lower back disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, both issues are remanded as further medical opinions are needed regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.