Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee is remanded due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's vertigo and bladder disorder to include frequent urination are granted as related to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's lower back pain, body aches, left arm joint aches, right arm joint aches, left knee joint aches, high blood pressure, removal of uterus and right ovary to include bleeding cysts and hot flashes, and migraines are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in a May 2019 statement.,The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee condition and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions, finding that they are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right ankle condition, including OA and residuals of a fracture and tendonitis, is now rated at 30 percent. The claim for TDIU remains denied as the evidence does not support his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his left knee disability, as well as the service connection of his right knee disorders. The issues include seeking a higher rating for his left knee condition and determining if his right knee conditions are secondary to his service-connected left knee and/or right ankle disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The appeal regarding the right foot disability is still pending.

The Veteran's Bell’s Palsy is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Service connection for OSA is granted based on in-service onset and current diagnosis.,Service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is granted due to in-service onset and current diagnosis.,Service connection for MDD, with anxious distress, is granted based on in-service onset and current diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical records, specifically prison medical records. The VA examiner did not address why the disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and service-connected shoulder disabilities have been denied. The Veteran is granted separate 10% ratings for limitation of extension in both knees from April 28, 2011.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted a rating of 30 percent effective from the date of claim, January 29, 2018. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his drop foot, bilateral shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities. The Board also notes that the Veteran has claimed exposure to Agent Orange but does not specify which conditions are related.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected rhinosinusitis and major depressive disorder. His rating for major depressive disorder from January 9, 2015, is granted at 70 percent. The issues of right knee disability, residuals of left testicle surgery, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating claim for a left knee disability and his TDIU claim have been remanded due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records and an updated examination post-surgical arthroplasty.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion is granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent, and his right knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent disability rating. The TDIU claim prior to April 30, 2013 is also granted.

The Veteran's neuralgia of the sciatic nerve in the left lower extremity is granted a 20 percent rating. The Board also grants entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee, entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee, and remands the claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's headaches with lightheadedness are granted a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence of moderate or more severe instability.,A separate 20% rating for bilateral knee disabilities with effusion into the joint is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is rated at 30 percent for severe instability. The limitation of motion remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. His right and left knee disabilities are denied as not related to his active duty service. The low back, neck, left shoulder and arm, and right and left feet disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.