Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to secure and maintain employment in the past.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in addresses and living arrangements, as well as potential issues with service connection for various conditions. The appellant's status as a surviving spouse must be determined first before any other claims can proceed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected Baker’s cyst of the right knee is not related to his degenerative changes, and thus remands for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disorder, COPD, left knee disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as diverticulitis), skin disorder (claimed as eczema), and polymyositis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities, finding no current disability. The issues are remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection of hypertension has been granted. Her initial disability ratings for right and left knee conditions prior to September 2, 2016 remain denied. The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for bilateral foot conditions is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee issues, right knee issues, and neck issues due to potential errors in the initial examination and treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, high blood pressure (hypertension), right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a failure in VA's duty to assist. The case is being sent back for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a right below knee amputation and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as an increased rating for cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 2, 2012 was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess his current disability levels and determine if his symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability with limitation of extension is currently rated at 30 percent from June 8, 2016. The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical evidence in the VA examination reports, and unclear application of diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and the evaluation for left knee lateral meniscal tear with meniscectomy and residual degenerative joint disease due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability, hypertension, and bilateral ankle disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The current 10 percent rating adequately compensates his functional loss due to pain and other symptoms.,Service connection is granted for hypertensive retinopathy as secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left knee disability requires additional development due to inadequate examination reports, and remands the case for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and right above the knee amputation, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot Morton’s neuroma as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The temporary total disability rating claim based on surgical treatment of a service-connected right knee disability was denied due to untimely filing. The claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and pain with limitation of motion are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate or incomplete examinations, as well as the need to consider SSA disability benefits.