Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right thumb disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of his right knee, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability of his right knee due to failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected.,Right knee patella chondromalacia and DDD of the lumbar spine are granted as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was granted service connection as it had its onset in service and has continued since service.

The Board denied compensation benefits for right leg amputation below the knee due to a lack of evidence showing VA's fault in causing or worsening the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of rating in excess of 10 percent for his right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of recent examination records and the Veteran's dispute regarding the adequacy of the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right wrist disability, are being remanded for additional development due to the possibility of increased severity since the last VA examinations.

The Veteran's left wrist fusion is rated at 50% effective from August 1, 2016. His middle finger right hand injury does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection was denied for arthritis of multiple joints, TBI, and left knee disorder other than service-connected left knee arthritis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of right knee contusion should be remanded to allow for a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to consider additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability due to further evidentiary development being necessary.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease, service connection for right and left knee disabilities, low back disability, and hypertension.,The Board also dismissed the appeals for service connection for right and left foot disabilities. The appellant withdrew these claims at his September 2019 hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include TBI, headaches, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's IVDS of the spine is not manifested by incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis, so a higher rating than 40 percent is denied.,For the left knee disability, flexion was limited to 110 degrees with pain and extension to 0 degrees. The examiner did not find additional range of motion loss due to pain, weakness, fatigability or incoordination during flare-ups. A higher rating than 10 percent is denied.,For the right knee disability, flexion was limited to 110 degrees with pain and extension to 0 degrees. The examiner did not find additional range of motion loss due to pain, weakness, fatigability or incoordination during flare-ups. A higher rating than 10 percent is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and consideration due to insufficient notice of scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded claims for right ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that clarification of the medical evidence is necessary before appellate review and these matters are REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoarthritis of the knees, feet, and acute cholecystitis (also claimed as cholelithiasis) due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder. The case is now being remanded to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations.