Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and TDIU claim due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current severity. A new VA examination is needed to assess these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistent medical and lay evidence regarding the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private treatment records from Drs. W and L.

The Veteran's claim of a right shoulder condition is denied, but his left knee pain is granted service connection.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection and secondary service connection for right knee strain. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with a focus on these issues.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and information are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including determining his periods of active duty and Reserve service. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking the left hip condition to either an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations for his service-connected right and left shoulder disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine disorder, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, and left ankle tendinitis are remanded to obtain additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder has been granted. His migraine headaches have also been increased to 50 percent prior to June 6, 2019 and his GERD has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, notably his bilateral knee disabilities, prevent him from substantially gainful employment that is consistent with his work experience as a laborer. The Board finds entitlement to TDIU granted.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The appeal for left ear hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of his right knee disability, service connection for a left knee disability (including as secondary to the service-connected right knee), and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability and a right foot disability, to include a fifth metatarsal fracture.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and hearing loss were first denied in a February 2017 rating decision. The Board finds that remand is warranted due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities due to outstanding federal government health records and insufficient development on exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of PTSD, as well as for bilateral knee disabilities due to failure to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, is considered service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty in the Gulf War theater.

The Board has found the NOD received in March 2015 was not timely filed and thus, the June 2011 rating decision is final. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is remanded.