Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for a left hand carpal injury, low back disorder, venereal warts, tinea versicolor, and right knee injury. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.,Service connection for a left wrist disorder remains pending as the Veteran's claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and a combined disability rating greater than 40 percent are remanded due to incomplete information in the VA examination report, lack of consideration of effective date issues, and need for additional evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, and additional evidence is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of cooperation in scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran will need to cooperate with rescheduling and attending an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease was denied, and the Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260-5003.,A separate rating of 20 percent for right knee disability based on instability is granted from August 6, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeals for all listed conditions as the Veteran withdrew her appeal through her attorney prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee DJD and shin splints was denied. A separate 10% rating was granted for right knee instability, and a 30% evaluation was granted for GERD with IBS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include psychiatric, right knee, right foot, left foot, and sinus disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded to obtain updated treatment records and a VA examination to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 5010. The temporary total rating for convalescence following his surgeries was denied as he had recovered by October 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence indicating an increase in severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to inadequate examination results and the need to obtain recent VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, back, hip, and knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran must be scheduled for a VA examination of his left ankle disability, and additional opinions are needed regarding secondary service connection for other disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle tendonitis, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee status post meniscectomy with arthritis is granted, effective May 2, 2012. The Veteran’s service-connected right knee disability has been rated based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded and will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found no worse than Level I hearing loss in the right ear and Level I hearing loss in the left ear, resulting in a zero percent disability rating. Service connection for left knee and left shoulder disorders, as well as loss of sense of smell, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as a psychiatric disorder including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety, are being REMANDED due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and right hip disabilities. The low back disability is related to in-service injury. The right knee disability is related to military service as it was aggravated by a pre-existing condition during service. The right hip disability is secondary to the right knee disability.