Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a hydrocele, are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) of the left knee with tendonitis is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied increased ratings for various knee, shoulder, spine, and elbow disabilities. The Veteran's left ulnar nerve disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues related to service connection for bilateral hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left brachial thrombosis prior to October 1, 2019 and a rating in excess of 60 percent thereafter, and service connection for right knee disability. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine her current level of severity and etiology.

The Veteran's left knee strain is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The Veteran also receives a TDIU and DEA benefits due to his PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as arthrosis, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial increased rating for his right knee disorder and a separate compensable rating for right knee instability due to new evidence suggesting worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate previous examinations. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, herpes simplex, insomnia and nightmare disorder, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, etc., effective August 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again with new VA opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for pes cavus, hammertoes, low back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine), and bilateral knee disabilities due to the need for clarification regarding whether these conditions are related to service or if they were aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee chondromalacia as they require further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his knee disabilities.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following right knee surgery because the condition that required the surgery (right fibula chondromyxoid fibroma) was not service-connected.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically degenerative joint disease, has been rated at 30 percent since February 20, 2009. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his condition as of January 2, 2004, with total knee replacement and associated limitations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a scar residual of a left arm vaccination is granted. The right wrist disability and tinnitus cases are denied, with the right wrist case being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss remains pending as additional examination and medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was previously remanded, and the Board finds that he should be given one more opportunity to complete the required VA Form 21-8940. If still not meeting schedular requirements, his case will be submitted to the Director of Compensation for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left total knee arthroplasty due to inadequate examination findings and the need for further development.