Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back pain and right knee condition due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left side varicocele, right foot plantar wart, and sinusitis with rhinitis were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for a left knee disorder.,A separate issue of entitlement to SMC for loss of use of creative organ (left testicle) has been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected.,Prior to April 24, 2015, the Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent. As of April 24, 2015, it was rated at 20 percent but no higher.,The Veteran's hypertension has not required continuous use of medication for control and is not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or a history thereof, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's service-connected status post left inguinal hernia is not secondary to his right inguinal hernia and is therefore denied.,The Veteran's right fifth finger disability has been rated as non-compensable, with no evidence of limitation of motion or functional impairment. A higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability (including gout) has been rated at 10 percent since June 20, 2019. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability based on unemployability (TDIU) due to issues with the Veteran's credibility and incomplete examinations. New VA examinations are needed to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disabilities are related to military service or caused by his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee condition was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for a VA knee examination to determine the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for the Veteran's left knee arthritis, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right knee conditions have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling from October 30, 2009 to February 29, 2012. The Board denied higher evaluations for both status post anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee and arthritis of the right knee.,The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee from November 30, 2009 to February 29, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the current disability was not incurred in or related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, acquired psychological disorder (including stressor related disorder), and back disability are granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied service connection. Service connection for a traumatic brain injury and a headache disability secondary to the traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to determine if service connection is warranted for bladder cancer, arthritis of the back and knees, and hearing loss. The Veteran's private treatment records are requested, as well as a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, back, shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents during military service and to obtain additional opinions regarding the etiology of his aortic valve condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee injury is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for various conditions, including dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, bilateral ankle disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, restless legs syndrome, HPV, infertility, gallbladder surgery, tremors and spasms to face and hands, itching, pain, and scars, and VA medical treatment.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development due to the receipt of new treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that his current knee disability did not manifest during or within one year after service and was not caused by military service.