Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, a disability manifested by a loss of feeling in the right hand, and a left ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, bilateral ankle, low back, and left elbow disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The appeals are being remanded to obtain additional service records.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities. The main reasons are that there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if the lung disability (asbestosis) and degenerative arthritis of the left knee are related to service, particularly given the Veteran's reports of asbestos exposure during service. Additionally, the Board finds it necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s current degenerative arthritis of the left knee is aggravated by his service-connected Pellegrini-Steida disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need VA examinations to address whether his current disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, obesity, and other factors.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there is no probative evidence showing he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service.,The Veteran's claim for right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active service.,The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are denied because there is insufficient evidence to establish a secondary relationship with diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee strain and mechanical low back pain due to insufficient evidence regarding the dates of active duty and Reserve service, as well as the nature and etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for a left knee disability, and service connection for bilateral cataracts. The appeal is REMANDED for further development regarding these issues.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding no evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, left knee, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. However, the Veteran's increased rating claims for right ankle and left ankle disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's PTSD with depression and degenerative arthritis of the spine have not yet received a statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and lumbar bulge and disc herniation.,The Board has also granted service connection for a left knee condition, including degenerative arthritis of the left knee, internal derangement and torn meniscus of the left knee with status post arthroscopy and medial meniscectomy.

The Veteran's request for a higher disability rating for her right ankle disability is granted, and she is awarded TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Her right knee disability remains remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee disorder, tinnitus, PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hearing loss have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus has also been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and sciatic nerve damage, left leg. The Veteran's knee conditions are also remanded.,Service connection is not granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted service connection. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back degenerative spondylosis, right shoulder sprain, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been granted. The effective date is July 5, 2006.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, and service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is remanded.