Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, and right hip disabilities. The Veteran's knee disability was also denied. Service connection for a respiratory problem prior to September 13, 2019, is not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right-hand, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and painful hip disability are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet, ankle osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine disability due to non-compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain as secondary to service-connected disabilities and granted a 30 percent rating for right knee PFS and left knee PFS from August 16, 2011 to April 16, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and right knee scar, status post knee replacement due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records, specifically missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's right knee disability claim. The SSA records are needed for a complete evaluation of his condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee and right knee disorders due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for dizzy spells and headaches, finding that the current symptoms are not related to the in-service episode of vasovagal syncope and closed head injury. The claims for sciatica with scoliosis of the lumbar spine, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral foot condition are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.,The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to new and material evidence, but a higher rating is still denied.,An effective date earlier than July 8, 2014 for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,A TDIU is granted from June 3, 2019 onwards, but not prior to that date.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability remains in appellate status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right ankle disabilities, as well as his request for increased ratings for left knee instability and painful flexion.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and right knee disability due to new evidence being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's left and right shoulders were granted a 20 percent rating prior to October 3, 2019. From that date, the Veteran's shoulder disabilities are denied. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for reducing the evaluation of degenerative joint disease left knee with limitation of extension to noncompensable and for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, back, heart, shin splints, and TB.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not service-connected, but has ordered further development to address this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will now consider these issues on their merits.

The Veteran's initial rating for chondromalacia patella of the right knee and left knee patellofemoral syndrome is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,A compensable initial rating for calluses, bilateral feet, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee strain, left knee strain, and low back disorder due to deficiencies in the examination reports. The VA examinations are needed to provide a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran’s claim.