Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation and rating consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability due to outstanding private treatment records and an updated VA examination.

The Board has granted a separate initial 10 percent rating for right knee instability, but has remanded the case to determine an appropriate rating for right knee DJD.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, including retropatellar pain syndrome and arthritis, are rated based on limitation of motion. The appeals for higher ratings prior to February 2, 2017, have been denied as the current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left total knee replacements are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. Service connection for PTSD is denied, and the TDIU appeal is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for painful joints was dismissed due to the appellant (or his or her authorized representative) requesting a withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and bilateral knee condition are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected as it did not begin during active duty or due to a disease or injury incurred in service. The VA medical opinion found no direct link between his current left knee condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and left internal carotid occlusive disease have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's torn right knee meniscus is related to service or secondary to his service-connected shin splints.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability including low back strain and degenerative disc disease, but remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs, service connection for a right knee disability to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs, and service connection for radiculopathy of right lower extremity to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand pain, right hand pain, right knee strain, and left shoulder strain. The claims for right knee strain and left shoulder strain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as her FEV-1 and FEV1/FVC levels have been consistently above 80%.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support an increase to any higher rating.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disorder, left knee chondromalacia, and degenerative arthritis of the lower spine due to lack of a fully-informed decision. The issues are being remanded because VA medical opinions were not obtained regarding the Veteran’s lay contentions and flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, teeth grinding, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, back, neck, shoulder, and knee disorders, as well as a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an eye disability was denied in a March 1979 rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim, resulting in denial. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee condition was previously denied, but new evidence has been submitted. The Board is remanding the case to determine if the left knee condition is due to or aggravated by his right knee condition.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder is dismissed. The claims for service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted with a 10% rating for the right knee scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, including consideration of lateral instability. The case is being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and the need for a new VA examination.