Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining missing in-service hospitalization records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted since the last statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their functional limitations and the need for total knee replacements. The Board has found insufficient evidence to grant higher ratings in all rating periods.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was reopened and granted.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee condition, bowel condition, erectile dysfunction, and kidney condition were denied.

The Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease, right leg fracture residuals, and perforated eardrum were granted. Service connection was established on the basis of direct evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a right knee disability, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the assignment of increased disability ratings would violate the 'amputation rule' and other criteria. The lumbar spine disability was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, nor did it result in favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, ADHD, DVT, and early stasis dermatitis as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The issues of rating higher than 10 percent for the service-connected right ankle disability, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) result in permanent loss of use of both feet. The Board grants the Veteran's claims for automobile and adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, and SMC.

The Veteran's request to reopen her claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also grants service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence shows a current disability and relates it to in-service motor vehicle accidents. Service connection for back disability, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded due to lack of medical nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded five claims: four for service connection and one for psychiatric disorders. The AOJ is directed to obtain SSA records related to the Veteran's disability benefits applications.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee DJD, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or elsewhere warranting presumptive exposure to an herbicide agent (including Agent Orange).

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 29, 2017 for a 10 percent rating for service-connected lumbar strain is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left knee is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee arthritis and his service-connected left knee arthritis and bilateral pes planus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA examinations and a lack of proper notification regarding missed appointments. The case is being returned to obtain updated medical opinions and records.

The Board denied service connection for left, right knee disabilities and neck disability. The Veteran's current knee and back conditions were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The RO increased the ratings for several conditions and granted service connection, but denied the request to apply the bilateral factor. The Veteran's combined rating is now 90 percent.