Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of a total right knee replacement is denied as there is no higher schedular rating available than that currently assigned.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a deviated nasal septum is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for scars from right inguinal hernia repair, cholecystectomy, right knee surgery, and staph infection is being remanded.

The claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, left knee disability, pseudofolliculitis of the scalp, and tonsillitis have all been denied. The Veteran's applications to reopen these claims were not successful.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been granted, with a separate 10 percent rating assigned for each knee instability. The initial ratings for arthritis remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and ankle conditions are granted as secondary to his service-connected flat feet. The Veteran is also granted a separate grant of service connection for his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain syndrome, increased ratings for postoperative PCL and ACL tears of the left knee with instability, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome and that the Veteran is already compensated for his left knee pain due to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right knee disabilities, a right hand disability, a low back disability, sleep problems, GERD, IBS, varicose veins, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeals are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors in assessing the Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically regarding her ability to perform range of motion during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including mid-thoracic and lumbosacral strain, right knee chondromalacia patella, left knee chondromalacia patella, and bilateral pes planus, have rendered him unemployable since October 15, 2004. An effective date of October 15, 2004 is granted for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a disability of the left knee, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service chondromalacia and pain. The evidence did not establish an in-service injury or link between the current condition and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities due to new evidence. However, the claims are still remanded as additional medical opinions are needed regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his right knee and/or right hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain, service connection for right and left knee disorders secondary to service-connected low back strain, and TDIU. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are being evaluated as secondary to her service-connected low back strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for neck disability, clavicle disability, hypertension, low back disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development in regard to his left ankle disorder, sleep disorder, right knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral pes planus were all found to be caused by service. The left knee meniscus tear was not related to service.,Service connection for the Veteran’s bilateral knee and foot disabilities (including bilateral pes planus) has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.