Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation from January 2, 2013 to January 2, 2014 for partial replacement of the left knee was granted. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability since January 2, 2014 is remanded due to issues regarding examiner competency and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but remanded other claims for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings for low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to missing treatment records and possible worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board's decision is revised to deny the claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, effective July 12, 2013.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes muscle atrophy and chronic painful motion, has been rated as 60 percent since May 1, 2010. The Board found that the residuals of his total knee replacement surgery have resulted in severe painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from October 18, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is rated at 50 percent since August 11, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Right knee and right hip DJD are both currently rated at 10 percent.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee. Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, low back disorder, residuals of a left leg fracture, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, right hallux valgus (bunions), and left hallux valgus (bunions). The cases are remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a finding that his right knee disability was proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee chondromalacia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The Veteran's right knee and left knee conditions are being reviewed, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, fallopian tube adhesions with removal of the left ovary, and increased rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopy have all been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in the July 2019 addendum. The VA must provide new opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's current left knee condition, its onset during service or post-service, and his hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), but denied for left knee, low back, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension (HTN) and right knee osteoarthritis was denied as the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor are they related to a service-connected condition. The Veteran’s BHL prior to December 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis was remanded as the evidence does not show that the condition manifested during or within one year after service. The Veteran’s BHL prior to December 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cerebrovascular accident, heart condition, kidney condition, testicular condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral knee condition, and left lower and upper extremity paralysis have all been denied as there is no evidence of a direct link between these conditions and his military service.,The Veteran's service records were destroyed in 1973, making it impossible to establish any connection between the claimed disabilities and his active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection claims and the reopening of a pneumonia claim before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, right foot, and left foot conditions due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and obtaining SSA disability records. The focus of the appeal is on whether his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment benefits.