Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee conditions, as secondary to service-connected arthrosis of bilateral feet with plantar fasciitis. Additional development is needed due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis and denied service connection for a chronic bilateral foot disorder other than hyperhidrosis and tinea pedis, as well as a chronic bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and remanded the issues of increased ratings for left hip disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records, and additional examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete records and lack of an opinion on whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and effective dates of March 7, 2000 were assigned. The appeals related to right knee DJD, hypertension, IBS with GERD, hemorrhoids, and status post fracture of the proximal ribs. Service connection was denied for prostatitis and/or residuals of such, collapsed lung and/or residuals of a collapsed lung, and dental disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right knee, left knee, and gastrointestinal disorders due to inadequate VA examination opinions and need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the continuity of symptoms and treatment for a right knee disability since separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his notice of disagreement (NOD) regarding the March 28, 2013 rating decision was not timely filed within one year from the date of the letter informing him of the determination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed for both left knee disability service connection and right knee disability rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lower and upper back problems was granted. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings, initial compensable disability ratings, and service connection claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD ratings are granted, but her claims for service connection of various conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The claims for bilateral ankle disability and bilateral knee disability are denied, but the low back disability with right side radiculopathy remains under review.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain in-service and post-service treatment records for the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, reopening the claim. Service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain due to lack of adequate medical evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and whether his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are related to service or service-connected conditions.

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

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to October 22, 2016.