Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD, right knee disability, and TDIU due to incomplete procedures in issuing a statement of the case (SOC) and unclear values reported by the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's right knee extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records, and Social Security Administration disability benefits records. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine if his current low back disability is related to in-service injury or event.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and hypertension. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and evidence. The issues include back disorder, plantar fasciitis, left knee scar with keloid, and sarcoidosis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for dizziness, headache disability, right knee disability, neck disability, and left arm disability are remanded due to missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea with fatigue is granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,Service connection for fatigue is denied, as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it is unrelated to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for surgical scars of the back was also denied, as there were no disabling effects not considered in ratings provided under other Diagnostic Codes.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted service connection as it is related to his service-connected multiple sclerosis.,There is no evidence of a left foot, left ankle, or left knee condition during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee laxity and limitation of motion were denied, as the evidence did not show more than slight instability or flexion impairment. The appeal for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing that he required regular assistance.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a neurological disability affecting the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to link current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for left knee chondromalacia and right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were denied service connection as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee surgical scar, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee chondromalacia patella are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for his migraine headaches or bilateral hearing loss, but his hip and knee disabilities are being reviewed further.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The Veteran is also seeking an addendum medical opinion on his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee condition has been granted. The claims for left shoulder and right shoulder conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The right knee disability received a non-compensable rating, which has been increased to 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, glaucoma, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's left knee disability and heart condition are being remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they were found to be less likely related to his period of active duty.

The Board has restored a 30 percent evaluation for service-connected left knee instability, effective January 1, 2019. The Veteran's previous 30 percent rating was reduced to 10 percent in an October 2018 decision due to the absence of improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was denied an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent from July 31, 2008 to the present.,The Veteran's left knee disability was denied an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent since September 2, 2005.