Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial evaluations for vitiligo, sleep apnea, hypertension, bilateral plantar fasciitis, TMJ syndrome, right forearm laceration scar, Bechet's disease with intermittent flares of iritis, acne, mouth ulcers, and joint pain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's initial evaluations for left ring finger fracture and left little finger fracture are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a left knee disorder, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his service-connected hip disorder. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and determinations regarding his service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for Tension Headache Disability, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder), Bilateral Epicondylitis of the Right and Left Elbows, and GERD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an ulcer has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Board has remanded several issues including left shoulder, right wrist and right-hand disabilities, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, residuals of fractured ribs, bilateral hearing loss, gastritis, hemorrhoids, and migraine headaches for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to address the etiology of these conditions and verify the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and denied service connection for left knee, back, left heel, left shoulder, and right rib fracture conditions. The effective date remains pending as the Veteran did not submit a formal application within one year of receiving an informal claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues related to his lower back, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis of both knees.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are etiologically related to his in-service injuries, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The claims for service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, hearing loss, hypertension, hypertensive cardiovascular heart disease, and gastritis have also been reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and unclear dates of meniscectomy procedures.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's claim for a lower back disability was reopened due to new evidence.,Service connection was not granted for the left knee or right knee disabilities as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), right knee disability, respiratory disability, polycythemia vera, lower extremity neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, traumatic brain injury, and eye disability have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for shin splints, bilateral pes planus, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and initial compensable rating for history of kidney stones requiring stent placement due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, bilateral foot disability, flat feet, arthritis of the feet, and bilateral hearing loss, has been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development on issues related to a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee injury with residual arthritis. The issues of service connection for a left knee condition, as well as increased ratings for right knee disabilities and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents, as the legal standard regarding in-service exposure has changed. The Veteran served aboard a ship that was in 'official waters' of Vietnam during parts of his active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision also dismisses the issue of service connection for an orchiectomy of the left testicle.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, are now service-connected. The Veteran is also granted a 20 percent disability rating for his left ankle condition.