Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination, and additional development is required.

The Board has determined that the previous remand instructions have not been fulfilled and another remand is necessary for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from December 18, 2007 to March 4, 2013, inclusive.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, liver disorder, and psychiatric disorders. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back strain, right and left knee strains, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, tinea pedis of the fourth and fifth toes on the left foot, and a verruca on the right forearm have been denied. The current 40 percent rating for the combined conditions is maintained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and the need to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that his range of motion did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to pain and functional loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including PTSD, back disorder, shoulder and knee disorders, GERD, skin condition, neck disorder, and allergic rhinitis were denied as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea is not reopened. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective from February 8, 2018. An earlier effective date for the increased PTSD rating cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition, specifically whether it is related to service-connected right leg conditions. The AOJ must obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee strain associated with left hallux valgus deformity was denied. However, from November 18, 2019, the Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent rating for limited flexion of her left knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to warrant higher ratings, and the claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to May 18, 2015 and denied a higher rating. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment status and income. The AOJ is instructed to complete additional development, including obtaining a VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran, and then refer his TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration if appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his September 2020 left knee treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion, and arthritis of the left knee with limitation of flexion, are rated at 10 percent each for limitation of extension from July 27, 2020. The appeals for higher ratings based on limitation of flexion have been denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent disabling for total knee replacement. From January 12, 2017 until April 18, 2019, he was granted a 10 percent rating for slight instability. Since April 18, 2019, his right knee disability is rated at 20 percent due to moderate instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations and a need for updated medical records. The Veteran's right knee condition will be reviewed again with new evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and degenerative joint disease are granted as service connected.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar spondylosis and degenerative joint disease is also granted as service connected.,Service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee traumatic arthritis has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.