Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. Additional development is required.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral cataracts and remanded the issues of service connection for low back, knee, shoulder, sleep disorder (secondary to PTSD), and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for a higher rating for left knee disability due to an inadequate VA examination. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee and PTSD have been granted a combined rating of 60 percent, effective January 1, 2010. This meets the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) under section 1114(s) due to his permanent housebound status caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to complications from back surgery.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating beyond 10 percent for left knee pain status post plica surgery prior to March 16, 2015 or a 30 percent rating for left knee replacement surgery from June 1, 2016 through June 14, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and back disorders due to inadequate opinions provided in August 2020. Additionally, the claim for a higher initial rating for left hallux valgus is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete examination findings, and the need to obtain VA treatment records from July 2016 until the Veteran's death in November 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a combined rating of 100 percent, but none alone render him unemployable. Therefore, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether a TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis prior to March 7, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and right shoulder condition, finding no causal relationship to service. The case is remanded for further development regarding the right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 20 percent for his right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage from August 21, 2008, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis and residuals of a right knee injury with anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal tears due to inadequate range of motion testing in weight-bearing.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: psychiatric, left knee, lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The reasons for this are that the Veteran testified about increased severity since recent VA examinations and private evaluations, and requested additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ankle sprain residuals and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome due to inadequate VA examinations in previous remands. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability and remanded other issues including service connection, TDIU, and effective date.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as service connected, with the presumption of continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for bilateral athlete’s foot is granted based on a finding that it had its onset in service and is etiologically related to service. The Veteran was diagnosed with athlete’s foot during service and continued experiencing symptoms after separation.,The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as service connected, with the presumption of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and knee conditions, as well as a low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for a low back disorder, left knee disorder, shin splints, and neck disorder were all denied due to the lack of evidence of current disabilities or pathology causing symptoms.,There are no post-service medical records showing any current diagnoses or treatment related to these conditions.