Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, sinus bradycardia, nasal disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo examinations to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee disorders due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Indefinite Non-Training Periods (INACDUTRA). The VA also needs an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to determine if the left knee disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar sprain, right knee instability, asthma, and right knee chondromalacia. The case is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional records related to a congressional appeal and the Veteran's entrance into active duty.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral knee disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow and right knee conditions, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

For the appeal period prior to July 2, 2020, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right hip bone graft was denied.,As of July 2, 2020, an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for residuals of a right hip bone graft is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded the cases of right knee disability and low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The left knee was rated at 20 percent, and the right knee was also rated at 20 percent. Separate 10 percent ratings were granted for mild instability of both knees.

The Veteran's left knee strain and slight instability are granted a separate 10 percent rating, while the initial ratings for left knee strain (10%), limitation of flexion of the left hip (10%), and limitation of adduction and rotation of the left hip remain denied. The Veteran is granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in the previous decision and the need for a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's right knee DJD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete development of Federal records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient reasoning regarding etiology and pathophysiology. An addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee strain and residuals of a right knee arthroscopy are granted service connection. However, the Veteran does not have a current disability of sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, finding that the current diagnoses of degenerative osteoarthritis were not incurred in or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and right knee condition, to include residuals of a right knee surgery. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the right hand fourth metacarpal fracture with scar is remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain, lumbar strain, cervical strain, right knee patellar bursitis, and left knee patellar bursitis are all rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent. The Veteran’s sinus arrhythmia is not compensable. For the period from June 2, 2012 to February 12, 2020, his PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling; since February 13, 2020, it is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD has been found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and for obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his diffuse joint and muscle pain is related to service.