Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability, and the case is remanded for further development regarding right ear hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's thalassemia trait, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all service-connected. However, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied for each condition except tinea versicolor which receives a 10% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for DDD of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the right knee, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as bilateral hip disability) have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for DDD of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the right knee, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for lower back pain, bilateral knee conditions, and an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and posttraumatic stress disorder. The evaluation for migraine headaches remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. From August 12, 2008 to the present, a separate rating of 10 percent for mild instability and from July 12, 2019 to the present, a separate rating of 10 percent for limited extension are granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee scar was denied. The claim for increased rating for his left knee disability, which included pain and limitation of motion, was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for right knee lateral instability, beginning March 10, 2017 is granted. The claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee lateral instability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee pain and instability, low back disability, and left ankle disability have been granted. However, the claim for a left ankle disability remains denied.

The Veteran's knee and back disabilities, as well as dizziness and loss of balance, are being remanded for further development.,A respiratory condition is also under review.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various foot and knee conditions, bunions, flatfeet, and carpal tunnel syndrome due to additional evidence received after the February 2018 SOC.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding increased ratings for his knee disabilities and separate compensable ratings for his meniscal conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left ear hearing loss disabilities, as well as hypertension. The decision also granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service. The issues of service connection have been remanded without a determination on the merits.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU, as he also has non-service-connected conditions that contribute to his employment challenges.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and information regarding the qualifications of a VA examiner who performed the August 2019 VA examinations related to the Veteran's knee, ankle, and hip conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee disabilities due to incomplete STRs. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to in-service physical training.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and major depressive disorder have all been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.