Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's ratings for his left and right knee disabilities were adjusted, with the left knee receiving a higher rating of 20 percent effective February 20, 2008, and the right knee receiving a higher rating of 10 percent effective June 12, 2015. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, a bilateral knee disability, a low back disability, and a burn scar of the left shoulder. The Veteran's symptoms were observed in-service and have continued to present post-service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right shoulder labral tear with rotator cuff tendonitis were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records, including SSA disability benefits and VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and higher ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, effective July 11, 2014. The condition is manifested by flexion limited to 120 degrees and extension to 0 degrees.

The Veteran's right knee internal derangement status post ACL reconstruction is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for various knee, ankle, and hearing loss disorders must be reconsidered under the correct regulatory framework. The case is being remanded to issue a supplemental statement of the case.

Service connection is granted for left knee chondromalacia, back arthritis, chronic residuals of left shoulder, and depressive disorder. Service connection is remanded for peripheral neuropathy in bilateral lower extremities and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty with the Minnesota Army Reserve National Guard and lack of associated service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other two issues.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to his in-service injuries, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of bilateral knee condition due to new and material evidence. However, the issue is remanded as further medical examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to inadequate examinations and lack of proper employment information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further examinations and opinions regarding his gastrointestinal disorder, knee disabilities, and PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and various musculoskeletal conditions. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was set at September 12, 2017. All other issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his right knee scar disability rating from 10% to 0% effective October 1, 2015 has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with mild chondromalacia, finding that the evidence did not justify a higher rating.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, finding that there is relative equipoise of evidence in favor of a nexus to service.