Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical examination and opinion, and further development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 2, 2009.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but denied them based on the lack of new and material evidence. The claims for tinnitus, hearing loss disability, rash, back of neck and face, limitation of flexion of the knees, left knee pain, right knee pain, lower back injury (claimed as back conditions), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and headaches have been reopened but remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for muscle atrophy, a left leg disorder, and a left knee disorder have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been established for coronary artery disease as secondary to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).,Service connection has been established for diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).,Service connection has been established for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities.

The Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a left shoulder disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection and rating for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cysts on the back, right shoulder condition, right knee condition, and right ankle condition are granted with initial 10% evaluations. The low back condition, GERD, and conditions of the right shoulder and right knee require further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, as well as the issue related to secondary service connection for the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran contends that these disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and episodes of joint pain and locking, is rated at 20 percent since May 12, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA clinical records, authorization of private chiropractor services, and a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's urticaria, lumbar strain, and right leg disorder.

The Board has dismissed the issues of an initial compensable rating for deviated nasal septum and service connection for chronic rhinitis. The issue of service connection for bilateral degenerative changes of the knee is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected condition.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied.,Issues related to right hip disorder and left knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence on etiology.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear, and entitlement to a higher rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hip disabilities. The AOJ will also obtain all outstanding records from SSA.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for either knee disability, or separate ratings for instability prior to February 5, 2019.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for left knee disorder. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is found to be at least as likely as not incurred in, or aggravated by, his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for above right knee amputation and a rating in excess of 10 percent for internal right knee derangement, finding that his conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The bilateral knee disorder and skin disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and need for further examination. The issues are related to varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities, right knee injury residuals, and abscess on the back.

The Veteran's instability of the right knee and degenerative arthritis with limited motion have been rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional etiology opinions.