Knee decisions — 2020

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, hypertension, laceration of the head, laceration of the mouth, blisters of the left foot, left eye disability, and left knee disability. The claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the left and right hands, as well as his left and right knee disabilities are granted.,Service connection is also granted for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including her total knee replacement from December 1, 2011, is rated at 60 percent. The decision also grants a separate 20 percent rating for dislocation of the semilunar cartilage prior to October 20, 2010 and denies increased ratings for instability and flexion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his in-service injury. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, including service treatment records, and a VA examination is required to determine if there is a link between the in-service injury and the current condition.

The appeal for service connection of a bilateral hip disorder is dismissed. The appeals for secondary service connection of left knee, left ankle, and right foot disorders are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the rating for chronic headaches and service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability prior to October 18, 2016 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee instability prior to September 25, 2018 is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee strain and lumbar degenerative joint disease have been rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection and rating determinations. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the knees, hands, and elbows has been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. His back disability is presumed to be related to service due to herbicide exposure. However, the rating reduction for peripheral neuropathy was not proper as it did not follow procedural requirements.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims for various conditions and an increased rating claim for cervical spine strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left ankle and bilateral knee disabilities due to outstanding medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to additional evidence being added to his case file. The VA examiner did not address the June 2014 diagnosis of arthritis in the knees, nor considered the Veteran's arguments regarding in-service injuries. A new examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding a current diagnosis related to an in-service stressor. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for his right knee disability due to lack of substantial compliance with a prior remand order. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination.