Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no in-service event or continuous symptomatology related to the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability within VA standards.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, osteoarthritis impacting multiple joints, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further evaluation.,Further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability was aggravated during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including providing him with current and adequate VA examinations of his knees. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding relevant records and schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,Service connection for heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, numbness of the left fingers, numbness of the right fingers, a left foot condition, a right foot condition, and numbness on the right side (described as right leg numbness) are remanded.,Service connection for teeth loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) is remanded.,Service connection for low testosterone is remanded.,Service connection for a right knee disability (claimed as a weak right knee), a low back disability (claimed as low back stiffness), and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to obtain the Veteran's medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his right ankle disability. The claims for service connection for various knee, hip, upper-leg, and lower-leg disabilities are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee, lower back, and right hip disabilities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 1, 2011 and 40 percent thereafter for limitation of extension. The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent.,Both disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with a ganglion cyst, left knee arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tinea versicolor are granted service connection.,Issues related to the left ankle collateral ligament strain, essential hypertension, dyshidrotic eczematous dermatitis, and effective dates for these conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted as new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of motion and degenerative joint disease, is rated at 30 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for a symptomatic meniscectomy is granted.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, but granted a separate 20 percent rating for chondromalacia and patella femoral pain syndrome.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder. The claims for sleep apnea and reduction of left knee disability rating are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to post-surgical convalescence following his left knee replacement surgery was denied because the claim was received more than one year after the procedure.

The Veteran's PTSD, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee condition, and right foot condition have been granted. The TDIU due to PTSD has also been granted. However, the increased rating for right knee degenerative joint disease and service connection for hypertension are pending.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of flat feet, tinnitus, and knee conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied, and the claim for service connection of left knee arthritis is denied. The case for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for left knee replacement is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending and requires further development.