Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for the lumbar spine claim. The right knee disability is currently rated as 20% for limited extension and 10% for limited flexion since June 5, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for right, left knee disabilities and cervical spine disability. Additionally, the Board has also granted service connection for radiculopathy of the arms and legs secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and a right knee disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic hemorrhoids and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability and a compensable initial rating for scar, residual of left knee surgery.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left knee disability due to errors in its previous decision, including not requiring a VA examination when one was needed. The case is now sent back for further review and an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim and has ordered additional examinations and opinions. The Veteran's right knee disorder may be related to service, but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability and denied service connection for this condition.,Service connection is remanded for further development regarding exposure to herbicide agents and/or asbestos during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the appeal period.

The Board has ordered additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examination, including missing joint testing and consideration of lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral patellar chondromalacia was granted, with the Board finding that his current condition is not related to service. The Veteran had a preexisting knee disability but it did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The left wrist, left knee, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities have been rated as appropriate under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's request for a clothing allowance for his bilateral knee braces due to wear and tear on his clothing was denied as there is no objective evidence showing such wear and tear occurred in 2017.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and related residuals are not service connected, while his right and left knee disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and TBI residuals was denied. The right ankle injury, right ear hearing loss, and right knee disorder were remanded due to insufficient examination findings.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right knee disorder is also pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee strains, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for bilateral shoulder rotator cuff dysfunction and entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee condition before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his right knee scar and overall disability rating have been dismissed as they are attempts to establish freestanding claims, not appeals of final decisions.

The Board has decided that a remand is needed for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left knee conditions, as his condition may have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings possible based on the current evidence. The Veteran’s rheumatic fever disability is currently not rated due to lack of associated joint impairment.,Rheumatic fever residuals need further evaluation by a VA examiner to determine if they warrant a compensable rating.