Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that further development is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and sleep disorder. The case is being remanded for VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee condition and its connection to his active duty service. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine if his current knee issues are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with a 10% rating assigned for each condition. The effective dates are not specified in the decision.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for Supraventricular arrhythmia (SA), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Right knee disability, and Left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's right knee osteochondroma and instability have been granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent, effective from October 2, 2012. The rating for the right knee osteochondroma was increased to 10 percent in January 2014, excluding a period of temporary total evaluation. The Veteran's right knee instability has also been rated at 10 percent since October 2, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for cervical stenosis, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, DJD of left shoulder, left knee disability, and left ankle fracture residuals. The Board found that there was no evidence in the service records supporting these conditions or their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The issues include bilateral knee conditions, cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, bilateral ankle conditions, partial loss of use of lower extremities, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals, and insomnia due to incomplete records from VA medical centers.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was not granted as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for postoperative internal derangement of the left knee from January 1, 2008 is denied. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The claim for a higher rating for right knee status post partial medial meniscectomy with limitation of motion prior to May 2, 2016 is denied.,A separate 20 percent rating for impairment of the semilunar cartilage (meniscal condition) is granted prior to May 2, 2016.,The claim for a 60 percent rating for residuals of right total knee replacement from July 1, 2017 is granted.,The TDIU claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip disorders, as well as a right knee disorder. The claims were based on the Veteran's in-service fall from a truck, but no credible evidence was found to support these allegations.

The Board has denied service connection for CFS and a rating greater than 30 percent for IBS, but has remanded the remaining issues due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses associated with dental treatment to and from the VAMC in West Haven, Connecticut is denied as he was not entitled to such payments due to VA regulations requiring reimbursement from his points of entry into the United States.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, left ankle disorder, prostate cancer (secondary to asbestos exposure), right knee disorder, lower back disorder, tinnitus, and sarcoidosis. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the lumbar spine disability and left knee strain.

The Board denied service connection for urinary tract infections and remanded issues regarding increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee, and left knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, kidney disability, and residuals of a head injury due to incomplete medical records.