Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee musculoskeletal disability and associated surgical scarring due to deficiencies in the September 2019 VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide additional information and/or evidence, particularly regarding private (non-VA) treatment records from the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee and ankle conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for chronic adjustment disorder, right brachial plexopathy, and left knee chondromalacia patella was denied. Service connection for a cervical spine condition was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, increased ratings for right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the addition of new evidence indicating he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The case will be referred for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's right knee rating was improper and restored the original 20 percent rating. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee disability and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee pain, finding that it began during his military service and is related to his time in active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to incomplete evaluations and lack of consideration of lay assertions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating since April 5, 2017. Ratings for right and left knee limitations of motion are denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent each are granted for right and left knee instability. The Veteran’s right hip disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with strain were granted a 10 percent disability rating prior to February 11, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for her ulcerative colitis, reflux esophagitis with hiatal hernia, right great toe, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities has been dismissed as she requested to withdraw all remaining issues on appeals.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's ratings for instability of the left and right knees have been reduced, but these reductions are void ab initio. The claims for increased ratings remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's back disability is not rated higher than 40 percent due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,Her right knee disability, including instability and limited flexion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Left total knee replacement is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's history of dysplasia of the cervix and vagina warrants a 30 percent rating due to symptoms that cannot be controlled by continuous treatment.,Urinary incontinence requires absorbent materials changed more than four times per day, but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee small joint effusion with subcentimeter ruptured popliteal cyst, also claimed as a left knee sprain.,The Board has also granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), also claimed as a back condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left little finger has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The new evidence does not relate to the issue.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for injury right thumb has been readjudicated due to the submission of relevant evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis with limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for residuals of the meniscectomy. The left knee disability remains at 10 percent for arthritis with no additional issues addressed.