Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a below-the-knee amputation and multiple joint issues, have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has ordered further development to determine if these conditions meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability (to include bursitis) was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for CIPD due to exposure to Agent Orange was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for her left knee disability, finding that it is less likely than not related to her military service or caused by her service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral feet, right knee and left hip disabilities due to in-service diagnoses and functional limitations preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions have been denied. His current rating of 10 percent is based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder and physical impairments.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of her symptoms or functional impairment.

The Board has found that the previous VA examination opinions were incomplete and requires another remand for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service or any other factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar strain/myositis and service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee instability and limitation of flexion, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for proper adjudication of the claims to include affording the Veteran an opportunity to undergo another VA examination.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the May 2015 denial warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The case is now remanded to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA did not provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disabilities, and thus the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30 percent for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability as of May 22, 2017. The rating was granted based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since November 14, 2012 for limitation of extension and from June 26, 2014 for severe instability. The current ratings are granted based on the severity of symptoms as described in the medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for tinnitus was not granted, the rating for bilateral hearing loss was not granted in excess of 40 percent, and the rating for a left knee disability was not granted in excess of 30 percent. Service connection for gout of the left ankle, right ankle, and left toe was also denied.

The Veteran's ratings for his bilateral knee conditions were reduced, and a separate rating was granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. A new 50% rating was granted for arthritis with limitation of motion as of July 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding her in-service knee injuries and headaches. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and denied service connection for a left knee disability. Service connection is granted for asbestosis due to in-service asbestos exposure, but the left knee disability is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ulnar neuropathy and remanded the cases of left knee meniscal tear and right shoulder rotator cuff tear.