Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and initial compensable ratings for anterior trunk scars and left lower extremity scars.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic inguinal strain is dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary problems (including tachycardia), drug addiction, and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to new evidence submitted since the March 2009 denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right scrotal mass is remanded as it is related to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic liver disability and chronic adrenal gland disability are remanded due to contaminated water and/or medication assertions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition requiring arch supports and bilateral foot disability (including edema) are remanded as they are related to in-service physical training.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left knee disorder have been granted service connection, but the Board has determined that a TDIU prior to September 24, 2013 is not warranted due to his other service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluation, earlier effective date, and service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities were also dismissed. The appeal was remanded for examination on the issues of service connection for headaches and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and PTSD were denied. However, his PTSD was granted with a 50% rating effective October 11, 2018. His TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 11, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent afterwards for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee arthritis is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left leg condition, and left knee disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), and gynecological disability (miscarriage residuals).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% evaluation, but his right knee disorder and TDIU claim are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for vasomotor rhinitis, left wrist condition, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.,The Veteran's initial rating for a right knee disability is being remanded as his representative submitted an independent medical opinion suggesting that it may be secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. Updated VA examination is needed.,The Veteran's claims of varicose veins, back condition, gastrointestinal disability (manifesting in blood in stool), prostate condition, and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's recurrent sinus condition and right eye condition are being remanded as his representative submitted an independent medical opinion suggesting that they may be secondary to his service-connected vasomotor rhinitis. Updated VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck, bilateral wrist, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, bilateral foot, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral elbow disabilities due to insufficient evidence.,No new or material evidence was provided to reopen any of these service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective October 1, 2019. The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective October 1, 2019.,Both knees are currently evaluated under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261 for limitation of flexion and extension respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye condition due to sarcoidosis, which was diagnosed within one year of the Veteran's discharge from active duty. Service connection is denied for hypertension and right knee and left knee conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee instability, finding that there is no objective evidence of symptoms more closely approximating 'moderate' or 'severe' subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of her right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that there are issues with the VA examiner's assessment of range of motion during flare-ups. The case is being remanded to clarify these issues and readjudicate the appeal.