Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that his range of motion does not warrant a higher rating due to normal extension and flexion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability, as well as his claims for TDIU and service connection for a low back disability have been granted. The low back disability is found to be secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain with DDD on a secondary basis to bilateral knee disability and denied increased ratings for renal disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right shoulder disability, history of multiple dislocations and bicep tear with impingement and surgical interventions is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right shoulder disability, degenerative joint disease is denied.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, ankle ligament sprain, knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and PTSD, were denied. The decision did not address service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Court found that the existing record is not adequate to adjudicate the Veteran’s claims and ordered new etiology opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left knee and bilateral hip conditions due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran contends that his right knee condition caused functional impairment in his hips and left knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete records and a need to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of STRs. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's left knee condition, including dislocation with frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion, is rated at 20 percent effective July 10, 2014. The right knee disability secondary to the service-connected left hip disability has been referred for further review. Effective October 2, 2017, SMC was granted based on the Veteran's combined rating of 60 percent due to his additional disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, and right leg venous insufficiency due to inadequate opinions in the April 2019 VA examination. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical literature that may be considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain and right knee condition due to failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide updated medical evidence or attend the scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective December 11, 2019. The right ankle disability is granted with a rating of 20 percent. All other claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to an inadequate addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether these conditions are secondary to a service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The Veteran is requested to provide additional evidence and authorize VA to obtain relevant records.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding service connection for a neck disorder, a higher initial rating for the headache disorder, and increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, right and left hip impairment, limitation of right and left hip flexion, and left knee painful flexion with arthritis. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and folliculitis, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee instability and patellofemoral syndrome are currently rated at 10% each, with no higher ratings granted. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10% for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disorders, right and left hip disorders, shoulders disorder, cervical and neck disorder, anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, osteoarthritis of lumbar joints, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and hypertension due to outstanding medical records not being obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, but granted service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection was denied for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left total knee replacement was denied. The evidence did not show any worsening of the condition as of April 1, 2020.