Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability but remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding a left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee strain due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for low back pain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee condition, left knee condition, and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability and secondary service connection for right shoulder disability due to a previous left knee disability. The Veteran's attorney contends that her knee pain is related to her left knee injury during service, which was not taken seriously at the time.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 25, 2015 due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities not preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is being denied due to the Veteran's current employment, and the increased rating claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's aseptic meningitis residuals are rated at 50% from April 26, 2001.,Persistent depression with insomnia disorder is rated at 70% from February 28, 2005.

The Veteran's lower back disability and associated radiculopathy have been granted increased initial ratings of 20 percent, effective January 22, 2018. Additional development is needed for other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking higher initial ratings for his service-connected left knee and right ankle conditions.

The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's in-service injury and post-service occupation contributed to his current condition.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is presumed to have been incurred in combat service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right elbow, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied. The VA examiners found that the Veteran’s range of motion did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The cases for increased disability ratings for right elbow, left elbow, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee injury, back injury, neck injury, bilateral hip injury, and pelvis injury due to outstanding private treatment records and inadequate addendum opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess his right knee and left knee disabilities. The claims are not currently resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and left knee limitation of flexion, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left above knee amputation, its relation to his service-connected residuals of left knee replacement, and whether he requires aid and attendance.

The Veteran's current right knee strain with arthritis is granted as service connected, related to an in-service injury during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion provided regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder. The Veteran is presumed sound at entrance, and the burden is on VA to prove that his condition was not aggravated by service.