Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for obstructive sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disabilities, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, nasal fracture residuals, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, headache, sinus disability, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for herpes simplex.

The Veteran's right knee disability and left knee disorder are being remanded for further examination and evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5299-5257 since August 1990. During the appeal, a 20 percent rating was granted for dislocation of semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint (DC 5258). A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for painful motion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine disorders, bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities, a left knee disability, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and erectile dysfunction, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 90%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess his right knee and scar disabilities, as he reported worsening symptoms since the last examination in November 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, sleep apnea, residuals of jaw fracture, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress (depression) due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee condition is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral knee conditions have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, and back disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The right knee medial meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease claim is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and meniscal surgery residuals, is rated at 20 percent. The low back strain, radiculopathy in both lower extremities, and migraine headaches are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disorders due to a lack of SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a mechanical low back disability is reopened. The Board finds additional development necessary due to the possibility of worsening knee disabilities and new onset of lower back pain.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine and disorders of the bilateral feet, knees, hips, shoulders, and ankles are granted. Additionally, his claim for iritis as secondary to service-connected ankylosing spondylitis is also granted.

The Veteran's left knee scar and disability are being remanded for further development, including review of additional medical evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the rating claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The appeals are now sent back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for initial consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate condition, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete records and lack of development regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and back disorder, both secondary to her service-connected left ankle fracture. The case is sent back for an addendum opinion regarding whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by her service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition. The AOJ is instructed to schedule a VA examination and complete additional development.