Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, and his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are granted.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Veteran's new and material evidence did not provide sufficient information to reopen the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral shin splints (stress fractures), a bilateral knee disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no increase in severity of preexisting pes planus during service and that the Veteran did not have current disabilities of his shins, low back or knees.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome with CPAP, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion regarding his claimed bilateral foot condition, back condition, and knee condition. The issues of service connection are not addressed as the appeal does not involve a claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability, restless leg syndrome, left hip disability, right hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records, and requests that additional development be done before a final decision is made on whether new evidence supports reopening the claim for left knee injuries.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for left and right lower extremity saphenous nerve injuries, as well as his left knee scar, were denied.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus but denied for bilateral foot conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, and thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all four issues due to his withdrawal of those appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a musculoskeletal condition, as well as his requests for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and residual surgical scars of the left foot. The Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and headaches. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% rating from May 6, 2016 to February 26, 2018.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for the same condition, now diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his in-service complaints or findings and his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right thigh injury is granted, while the claim for osteoarthritis of the right knee is denied.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorder, low back disorder, right ankle/foot disorder, and right knee disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims are related to service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and sleep disorder (insomnia).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal, back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to his service-connected left knee and/or left ankle disabilities. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, including those from VA and private providers.

The Board has remanded the claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee disabilities and the claim for TDIU due to inadequate examinations, missing medical records, and procedural issues. The Veteran is also required to provide a completed VA Form 21-8940 for his TDIU claim.