Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for a right knee meniscus tear. The low back condition is presumed due to continuity of symptoms since service. The right knee issue was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a separate right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence of record regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability throughout the period on appeal. The Veteran underwent surgery in October 2016, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability prior to July 8, 2019 and a compensable rating for right knee disability from July 8, 2019. The effective date earlier than October 27, 2016, for the award of a TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lower back and left knee disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim. The current ratings of 10 percent for both conditions remain unchanged.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for right knee disability as secondary to left knee disability. The issue of higher ratings for left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for fibrocystic breast disorder is dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury (other than headaches) is denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current symptoms to service.,Service connection for right arm disability is denied. The VA examiner concluded there was no link between the Veteran's current condition and service.,Service connection for left knee disability is denied. The VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s current condition is more likely related to aging and normal wear and tear rather than service.,Service connection for residuals of a midline episiotomy is denied. There was no evidence linking the current condition to service.,Service connection for recurrent vaginitis is granted as it can be reasonably disassociated from her active duty service.,Service connection for chest pain and pressure is denied. The VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and needs a more thorough opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional evidence, including recent VA treatment records. The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease claim will be reconsidered based on all available information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a need for more contemporaneous medical examination of his knee disabilities, as they have worsened since his last VA examination over two years ago.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left and right ankle conditions, as well as his right knee condition secondary to a service-connected left knee condition.,The Board found no evidence of any current disability related to the Veteran's active service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis, meniscal condition, and instability, has been rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2010. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for the meniscal condition from January 1, 2010 to June 24, 2017; a 20 percent rating is established for instability starting on that date.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, low back disability, left ankle and knee disabilities, bilateral eye disabilities, hemorrhoids, scar, skin disability, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional development.,VA examinations were cancelled because the Veteran missed them. The Board finds that medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for various disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, pelvic disability, bilateral knee disability, left arm disability, and left foot disability. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for removal of semilunar cartilage. The effective date for the increased shoulder rating is December 28, 2017. The Veteran's right hip condition remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims for herniated lumbar disc with degenerative joint disease, right and left knee degenerative joint disease, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional opinions are needed as there is evidence of treatment in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, as well as earlier effective dates for radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination and any outstanding VA treatment records are to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and further medical opinions are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, and thus denied the claim for service connection.