Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the fact that his combined rating does not meet the schedular criteria, but he has been unable to find suitable employment due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability is service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding her low back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is granted a separate 30 percent rating for severe subluxation and instability, effective May 31, 2013. A separate 20 percent rating for locking of the knees is also granted, effective May 31, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and residuals of left hand injury have been granted. The Board found that the current conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of right knee replacement, status post osteoarthritis, as secondary to his service-connected right great toe fracture. The issues regarding left knee replacement and painful scars are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee limitation of motion due to inadequate VA examinations in prior decisions. The AOJ must schedule a new examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities during the period at issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain and service connection for a left hip disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need new VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and right knee osteoarthritis. The RO found no prior intent to file a claim for these conditions before July 13, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and right tibia/fibula impairment. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability and mental health conditions are being remanded for further evaluation. The VA will obtain any outstanding records, schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess his current condition, and determine if there is new evidence that warrants reopening of his claims.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia were rated at 10 percent each, with a separate 10 percent rating for slight recurrent subluxation of both knees. The claim for increased ratings was denied.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for left ankle disability was denied as the evidence did not show any additional limitation of motion beyond what is already accounted for in the current 20% rating. The claims for service connection for right ankle and knee disorders were also denied due to lack of a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. The Board has also remanded several issues including sleep apnea, lower back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary as the Veteran is entitled to substantial compliance with Board remand directives. The case was previously before the Board in June 2019, and it has been returned for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's right knee strain with hamstring muscle tear residuals is rated at 10 percent, and the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease prior to June 18, 2019 and since that date are both denied as not meeting the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left knee disability, and OSA have been denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the left knee disability and for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for asthma, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, headaches, and left knee disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of the conditions claimed, and thus service connection cannot be granted.,There are no diagnoses or findings related to these conditions in the Veteran's service records, and post-service medical records do not show any such disabilities until decades after his discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.