Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities, both secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus, are remanded due to new evidence received since the final May 2008 rating decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability may be related to his service-connected right knee strain, and thus remands for further examination.

The Veteran's claims of PTSD, left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities have been dismissed as the appeal is withdrawn for the PTSD claim. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of establishing service connection based on in-service injury and secondary aggravation. The claims are also granted as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current right knee disorder in service or until years after service. The Board also found conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the right knee disability was related to his service-connected left knee and back disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including neck disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability. The evidence submitted since previous denials does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's right knee strain with meniscus tear and osteoarthritis claim is still pending, as is his respiratory disability claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further verification of the Veteran's service periods and readjudication. The main issue is whether the Veteran qualifies for nonservice-connected pension benefits based on his verified service, but a separate issue regarding service connection for a knee disability remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee disorder (to include osteoarthritis), and right knee lateral instability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for any condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has decided to remand them for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and potentially relevant treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee condition, service connection for a left knee condition, and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The Board has not awarded a higher rating.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability and kidney cancer are both remanded due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD, service connection for headaches, left knee and right ankle disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD. The AOJ must obtain updated VA treatment records, verify the Veteran's Reserve service, schedule a VA examination for PTSD, and request additional information for the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and missing service treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip condition secondary to his right knee disability needs further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, left shoulder, and prostate cancer disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the rating for gout in the right knee and related conditions prior to April 15, 2019, and any request for a higher rating thereafter.