Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination in determining whether the Veteran's right shin or knee disability is related to his military service. The examiner did not address the discrepancy between symptoms in the Veteran's left and right knees, nor considered the fact that he was approximately 29 years old when he reported onset of symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of disability ratings for left knee limitation of extension and instability was improper, and has ordered a remand to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the claims are being reviewed by a Higher-Level Review process conducted by an experienced adjudicator of the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a lumbar spine disorder were denied in March 2004. The Veteran submitted petitions to reopen her claims on November 21, 2012, which resulted in the grants of service connection effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right foot callus, entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for right knee DJD, and entitlement to service connection for right foot pes planus due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease, left knee has been rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that additional development is needed due to an increase in symptoms since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a temporary 100 percent rating (convalescence) for service-connected right knee disability has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of increased ratings for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple disabilities, including head injuries and knee issues. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 2, 2015 for TDIU and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA). The cases are being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of whether TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis. Additional development may be needed based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are inadequate, as well as new evidence pertaining to these conditions. Additionally, there is new evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings for his back disorder, surgical scars of the left knee, left total knee replacement, and left knee instability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellar chondromalacia, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed claims for service connection for right knee disability and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU beginning March 22, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis before March 22, 2010 remains in appellate status.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right knee disabilities were denied as there was no claim prior to January 31, 2014.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further examination to determine if there is any additional functional loss due to flare-ups or repeated use over time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral knee disability, finding that there was not enough evidence to show it was incurred in service or related to any existing service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hammer toe of the left second toe, status post operative repair. Service connection for left knee disability and hypertension is denied.