Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if any current right knee disability began in or is otherwise caused by his active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings in writing prior to the hearing, thus all issues on appeal are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residual scars has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, intermittent numbness of the left hand and fingers, and intermittent numbness of the left knee and lower leg have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD has been remanded to obtain a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected back conditions, resection of the large intestine, and removal of left kidney have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded due to the interrelated nature with other increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound is remanded due to the need for further examination regarding his reported incontinence symptoms and inability to stand for more than 2 minutes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis and associated left ankle fracture residuals is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and erectile dysfunction due to new evidence received since previous denials. The claims are further addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Bilateral pes planus, bilateral valgus deformity, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral subtalar joint dislocation are all granted as secondary to the now-service-connected bilateral pes planus. ,Degenerative joint disease of the feet is also granted as service-connected.,Pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include low back, left hip, and left knee disorders as well as a TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability (secondary to left hip), pelvic girdle muscle weakness (secondary to left hip), low back disability (secondary to left hip), left knee disability (secondary to left hip), and acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to left hip).,All claims were denied as the Veteran's preexisting left hip disability did not undergo an increase in severity beyond natural progression by an injury sustained during a period of active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee degenerative joint disease due to inadequate medical examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for left knee instability/subluxation and right knee instability/subluxation since May 9, 2017. The Veteran's right plantar fasciitis continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU, left calcaneal exostosis, and bilateral knee strain due to new evidence added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated TDIU forms from the Veteran, request his tax returns, and schedule VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically limited flexion and moderate instability, are now rated at 20 percent effective from November 23, 2013. The previous ratings for the period on appeal were 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, finding that it may be presumed related to his active duty service. The left-hand condition claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and cold weather injury residuals (hands). The Veteran's right knee condition is not related to his in-service fracture. His left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. Cold weather injuries are suspected but need further examination.,The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, as well as cold weather injury residuals (hands).

The Board has denied service connection for right arm and hand numbness, left knee disability, and blurred vision, left eye due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a digestive tract disorder. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of chronic right or left knee problems during active service or within one year after separation from National Guard duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for further medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for allergic rhinitis, right quadriceps disability, and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete information from previous VA examinations. The Veteran needs to be provided with a new examination in spring or summer to assess his allergic rhinitis severity, an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether his right quadriceps disability is related to service, and another addendum opinion is required for the bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including back pain, right and left knee issues, left ankle problems, right ankle issues, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are not supported by the evidence of record.