Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing National Guard service treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was reopened and granted. The effective date of the grant is set at May 24, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims for left and right leg periostitis, status post fasciotomy with knee compartment syndrome.

An earlier effective date of September 3, 1977, for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted. An evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for left knee osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 17, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to provide additional development for the left knee disability claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities, as well as her right thumb disability, are being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been raised by the record.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left knee disabilities have been granted service connection.,His bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

Service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, OSA, COPD, GERD, and headaches has been granted.,Effective dates prior to the specified dates have not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evaluations and documentation to determine his eligibility for VR&E services, including a change in the vocational rehabilitation employment goal, additional education in pursuit of an M.D., or other appropriate training.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for a right total knee replacement, and the case has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as 10% since April 22, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral flat feet and left knee conditions has been denied. The skin rash claim is remanded.,Service connection for the Veteran’s bilateral flat feet condition was not granted as it did not meet the criteria of direct service connection. Service connection for his left knee condition was also denied due to a pre-existing condition that worsened during service, but was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed right knee disorder made during the pendency of the appeal, including arthritis. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are not related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee is denied. The evidence shows that the Veteran has pain and stiffness, but no ankylosis or instability, resulting in flexion limited to 100 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot pes planus is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded two issues: an increased rating for a left knee disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The claims file does not include a Supplemental Statement of the Case reflecting consideration of evidence submitted since the December 2015 Statement of the Case, including a November 2018 VA knee exam.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The left knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings, specifically regarding the severity and frequency of flare-ups. The Veteran's right knee femoropatellar syndrome with shin splints and degenerative joint disease needs further evaluation.