Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for chronic lumbar spine disorder, chronic cervical spine disorder, chronic right shoulder disorder, chronic left knee disorder, and chronic right knee disorder. The evidence did not show a diagnosis of these conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of adequate medical opinions regarding pre-service conditions, aggravation, and current disability levels.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensable rating for eczema, service connection for a left knee disability, and service connection for a right knee disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hallux valgus, as well as his increased rating claims for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions, to determine if his claimed bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral ankle disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left knee disability was denied. A separate 20 percent rating for cartilage impairment of the left knee is granted from January 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of lower back and bilateral knee disabilities due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has restored a 60% rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee ankylosis from April 1, 2010 to April 10, 2019. From April 11, 2019 onwards, the Veteran already had this rating and it is the maximum allowed.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities, including post-traumatic degenerative joint disease and residual decreased sensation of the right knee/calf, are currently rated at 30 percent. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left knee meniscal tear has been granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for low back and neck disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes, right knee was denied in April 2002. The Board has now remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 30% and 40%, respectively, effective May 15, 2015. A separate rating of 50% for PTSD has also been granted, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a rating in excess of 30 percent for tinea versicolor on the shoulder, upper back, and chest, a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, status post ACL reconstruction with hardware, and an initial compensable rating for left knee scar are now pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, but denied a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and right foot bunion due to lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran may have been homeless or in an emergency shelter, which prevented him from attending the scheduled exams.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various acquired psychiatric, cardiac, erectile dysfunction, thyroid, sleep apnea, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders was denied. The Board found no current disabilities in the record.