Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left and right knee meniscus dislocations have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective from March 20, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and assigned an effective date of June 10, 2010. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for limitation of flexion and non-compensable for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent prior to January 13, 2017 and increased to 60 percent as of that date.,Prior to January 13, 2017, the Veteran’s TKA resulted in intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion. As of January 13, 2017, his left knee disability manifested with severe painful motion and weakness.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorders due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for clarification. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, and thus granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of flexion or extension. The Board also found no evidence of instability warranting a separate rating under DC 5257.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right and left foot disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right-hand disability, cervical neck disability, rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability, and an initial compensable rating for a right knee scar are remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete examination and potential separate evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee internal derangement and arthritis are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations in a previous decision. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine his current symptoms, level of severity, and functional impairment associated with his knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. The appeal is limited to these specific issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right knee disorder are related to service, but further examination is needed to establish a clear etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, tinnitus, COPD, and bilateral foot disorder (plantar fasciitis) have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Board is directed to further develop evidence related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination of his service-connected knee disabilities, as there has been a material change in disability since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, effective dates, and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development or clarification of certain issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his left knee, elbow flexion, extension, and supination disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hand, shoulder, hip, and knee degenerative joint diseases based on credible lay testimony of in-service incurrence and chronicity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service, except for PTSD with MDD which was granted effective July 2, 2013.