Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, has been reopened. The Board also remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and skin disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed left, right knee disabilities and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The adjustment disorder claim was not granted, the right knee replacement rating remained at 30%, the back condition, migraines, and left hip condition claims were also denied, and a TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand directive and because of allegations that the Veteran's knee condition may be related to his service-connected Crohn's disease.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial compensable ratings for various scars have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues related to service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition and left knee impairment due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to provide a medical examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is not rated higher than 10 percent as the flexion does not reach 30 degrees, even considering functional loss due to pain or other factors.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is also not rated higher than 10 percent as the flexion does not reach 30 degrees, even considering functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative changes of the right and left knees are being remanded due to the need for a new examination to evaluate the severity of his knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for teeth injuries has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right wrist, left wrist, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, and now finds that a TDIU should be considered on an extraschedular basis for the portion of the rating period prior to December 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis related to service.,Right wrist joint pain is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.,Left ankle sprain is denied as the condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.,Left shoulder condition is denied for similar reasons as right wrist joint pain.,Right shoulder condition is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.,Left knee chondromalacia of patella is denied because the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.,Right knee chondromalacia of patella is denied for similar reasons as left knee chondromalacia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his right knee and left knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining x-ray findings from a previous VA examination and providing an addendum opinion regarding flare-ups.

The appeal seeking a compensable rating for a fungal infection of the great right toenail is dismissed.,The appeal seeking service connection for high cholesterol is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and left ankle strain, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left and right knee disorders from October 11, 2006. The ratings are based on limitation of motion without ankylosis.