Knee decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed all claims for increased ratings and denied service connection for dental trauma. The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition is granted. The appeal is allowed to that extent only, and the case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran is entitled to the maximum Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) benefits due to his discharge from active duty due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disorders have been restored to ratings of 20 percent for lost extension, flexion, and instability from March 1, 2007, to September 8, 2008; December 31, 2017, to the present. The appeal is remanded for further rating determinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for back pain and bilateral knee disabilities was granted. The Board has also remanded the cases for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for acute ankle sprain and chronic pain, right knee (including as secondary to acute ankle sprain).

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right hip replacement, left hip strain, right knee, and left knee. The decision is based on equipoise evidence supporting a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination in May 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and his left knee disability. The claim will be reviewed again with additional examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims of service connection for left knee DJD and lumbar spine DDD were granted. The claim for service connection for DDD was not reopened due to lack of a nexus to service. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a right knee disability resulting from VA surgery is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and private medical records.

The Veteran's TBI residuals and left knee instability ratings have been restored, with the exception of SMC benefits which were restored from October 17, 2012.

The Veteran's lower back disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, and bilateral knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and a right knee disability have been reopened. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.,Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there is a right knee disability related to service, and to assess the severity of the Veteran's painful scars on his wrist.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for right and left knee disabilities, as well as the claim for TDIU due to bilateral knee disability. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.