Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including issues related to service connection and disability ratings. The case will be returned to the AOJ for consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and osteoarthritis (including of the bilateral hands, right knee, right hip, left shoulder, and neck), all claimed as secondary to service-connected cognitive disorder.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and also denied his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition present during or within one year after active duty and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between current symptoms and military service.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from December 31, 2013 to September 12, 2017. A separate rating of 10 percent for left knee instability is granted during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee DJD, meniscal tear, and ACL tear as these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis, right knee, status post right leg fracture with ORIF surgery was denied. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for slight instability of the right knee.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service injury and continuous since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the withdrawal of his case regarding a rating in excess of 30 percent for limitation of flexion of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical evaluation is required.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, right thumb, left thumb, and cervical spine conditions due to a lack of evidence showing these disabilities began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied the petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease, right knee and left knee. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for right hip limitation of flexion, abduction, adduction, and internal/external rotation prior to March 1, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter; a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, right hip; and a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, right lower extremity; and residuals of a low back injury are dismissed.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's spine, shoulder, and knee conditions due to incomplete development of his treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for left femur, right femur, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder) was granted as secondary to pain from his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability, is rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began. The Veteran also received a separate rating for his left knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg/left knee disability, to include any residuals of a broken left leg, is denied.