Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including knee and cervical spine conditions, as well as neurological and migraine headaches, all potentially related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ankle sprain, right knee strain, and lumbar spine strain are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to address the presence of flare-ups and repetitive motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's right knee condition is characterized by slight instability and limited extension, resulting in a separate compensable rating of 10 percent for lateral instability from May 9, 2014, to July 31, 2017. However, the Veteran does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome during this period. The Board finds a remand is necessary to determine the current severity of his condition after November 1, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and left and right knee conditions, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his chronic vascular headaches with dizziness, loss of equilibrium, head pain, and neck pain has been denied as the highest schedular rating is already assigned.,The March 2009 decision denying service connection for Cushing's disease is final. The Veteran's new evidence received since then is considered sufficient to reopen his claim, but it does not provide a clear link between his current condition and his active service.,Service connection has been granted for the left foot disability (gout) and left elbow disability, both related to in-service injuries. Service connection for right knee disability is also granted.,The Veteran's hypertension needs further evaluation as VA treatment records since November 2015 have not been provided. The examiner should assess whether his current disabilities are aggravated by service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability, left hip disability (arthritis of the fingers), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether any preexisting condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 22, 2015 due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities alone or in combination have precluded him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. The issue of service connection for left knee disability as secondary to right knee torn medial meniscus status post arthroscopy surgery with surgical scar is remanded for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial ratings for hearing loss in both ears, as well as knee osteoarthritis, has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the interrelated nature of the left knee and right knee conditions, and requests for additional records and a VA addendum opinion are made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service or a service-connected condition. The RO found no new and material evidence in the additional records received since the previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability from May 25, 2007 is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all related issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for a low back disability and tinea pedis, a temporary 100 percent rating for PTSD, and service connection for a cardiac condition, bilateral knee disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence. The claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is caused by his service-connected right ankle fracture residuals, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for scars, right knee injuries, and right shoulder injuries. Service connection for vasectomy residuals is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete treatment records, which have now been provided. The case will be readjudicated with consideration of these new records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disorder, and a back disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and conflicting medical opinions.,VA will attempt to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and military personnel records.