Knee decisions — 2020

The issues of service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, hearing loss (right ear), a right knee disability, and hypertension have been dismissed. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and left leg neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right knee disability prior to September 12, 2011 and from November 1, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis prior to September 12, 2011 or a rating in excess of 30 percent after November 1, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent since January 9, 2019. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of the issues raised.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her left upper arm disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbosacral spine disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and her military service. The appeals are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip replacement as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities, including traumatic arthritis and meniscus tear.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the Veteran receives proper notice and scheduling of VA examinations, as well as to address his claims for increased evaluations and service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a combined of 40 percent from November 8, 2017. The low back disability remains unresolved and needs further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a right knee disability, concluding that the Veteran's current condition was not caused by his in-service pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left knee, left hip, and right hip conditions as secondary to a service-connected right knee condition due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to provide proper medical opinions.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's lumbar strain, left shoulder derangement or impingement syndrome, and right leg/knee disability. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The VA is required to obtain additional evidence, including private treatment records, and provide new medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The claims for right and left knee disabilities, and sleep disorder are remanded due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disorder, which was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during service and no link between the condition and his right ankle fracture, has been reopened. The Board found that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the left knee condition did not worsen during service and concluded that it is not secondary to his service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to insufficient information regarding his service in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, which is necessary for proper adjudication of all appealed issues.

The Veteran's appeals for left knee condition and right knee condition have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of cervical spine with radiculopathy, lumbar spine condition, respiratory condition, glaucoma (claimed as secondary to respiratory condition), stomach ulcer, and GERD.

The Veteran's right knee disability was present during service and has continued since then. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current symptoms and service.