Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a current disability picture and updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for left wrist and right knee disabilities, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his right knee total knee replacement and service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability due to the lack of evidence showing current hearing impairment within VA's definition.,Service connection is granted for a right knee condition, with the condition being less likely caused by an in-service injury.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, effective from December 24, 2014. Service connection for a spine disability as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's right and left knees are currently rated at 30 percent and 20 percent respectively.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, left hip strain, and right knee strain as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to incomplete reasoning in previous VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, initial ratings for dysthymic disorder and low back strain, and TDIU due to new evidence and/or worsening symptoms. Specifically, a medical opinion is needed regarding whether any right knee disorder or pain with functional impairment is related to active service and/or proximately due to his service-connected low back strain.

The Board denied service connection for upper trapezium strain of the left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine strain, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the claim for right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating for residuals of an eye injury, as well as his appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for right and left knee disorders.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from May 17, 2016, based on the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg condition was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that any current right leg condition was related to his active service or his service-connected left knee disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee post-traumatic osteoarthritis and other residuals of a left knee injury were also denied, with the decision stating that there is no evidence showing compensable limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for a new one with updated findings.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 27, 2018 for Meniere’s syndrome is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not include attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month or more than once weekly.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings due to a reduction in disability rating from 30% to 0%, and the Veteran's right knee disabilities need further evaluation. The current VA examination is insufficient, and new evaluations are needed.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated at 10% each, and the Board has denied any higher ratings as there is no evidence of occasional incapacitating exacerbations or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding no current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board dismissed all pending appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthrosis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The Board also noted insufficient evidence to warrant an examination.