Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee degenerative arthritis and lateral instability due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations, which did not consider the Veteran's descriptions of flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for maxilla bony defect status post tooth extraction and service connection for a left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his service-connected right shoulder and knee conditions, as well as consideration of whether an extra-schedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a clothing allowance due to a left knee brace for the benefit year 2015 before the Board made its decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities, but a VA examiner's opinion is needed to determine if there is a link between the service-connected conditions and the new conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for acute thoracic and lumbar strain, left knee condition, and migraines due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted with initial evaluations of 20 percent each, effective February 5, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disorders did not manifest during active duty service, within one year of separation from service, or are otherwise related to such service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,The Board also found that there was no evidence showing an in-service stomach disorder, including ulcers and gastritis, which the Veteran experienced since service. As a result, service connection for this condition is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Effective dates prior to December 12, 2017 are not warranted.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 7, 2012. The left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2012 to August 16, 2020 and at 40 percent after that date.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 7, 2012. The left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2012 to August 16, 2020 and at 40 percent after that date.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at a maximum of 20 percent.,Throughout the period prior to August 15, 2013, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.,Financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied due to the Veteran's ability to drive and ambulate despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's Reserve and National Guard service. The claims will be reviewed again with a focus on verifying her periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Indefinite ACDUTRA (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate November 2019 VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot/ankle disabilities, as well as sinusitis due to insufficient medical opinions provided in previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to her military service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral hip conditions, and left knee conditions due to his service-connected right knee condition. The reasons include insufficient medical opinions based on lack of contemporaneous records and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding overcompensating.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine is granted at a 40 percent rating prior to May 8, 2015. Other conditions are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected pes planus.