Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee and left ear hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 12, 2018. The rating reflects the moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability of his knee.

Service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine, hip and knee disabilities. TDIU prior to July 22, 2013 is granted.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by his service-connected knee braces, and he is granted a clothing allowance for 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions and a need for an additional VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and remanded the issue of service connection for low back disability. The decision is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided.

The Board has granted service connection for a right elbow disability and a left knee disability. The claim for higher initial rating of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened, and the claim is now granted. The initial rating for left knee chondromalacia remains at 10 percent, while the initial rating for right knee chondromalacia with posterior horn and meniscus tear remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee osteoarthritis was denied, as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 45 degrees or less, extension limited to 10 degrees or more, ankylosis, objective evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, impairment of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee surgical scars was denied as there were no other disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to unresolved issues regarding increased ratings for right knee disability and hyperthyroidism, as well as a petition to reopen service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's existing service-connected disabilities have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal is for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Board has withdrawn the right shoulder claim and remanded the left knee and bilateral knee issues for further development. The Veteran's representative withdrew his right shoulder claim, and the left knee disability claim is being reopened due to new evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for scar of the right knee, finding no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right hip disability, left knee disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptomatology were largely not credible due to the absence of any report of symptoms until many years after separation from service.,The Board found no evidence of a right hip injury or disease during service, nor did it establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and status post fracture of the left tibia/fibula due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider functional loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not secondary to her service-connected knee disabilities and denied her claim for service connection. The issues of higher ratings for left and right knee disabilities, as well as TDIU, are remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's left knee disability needs further evaluation, including a new examination that meets the requirements of Correia v. McDonald (2016). A retrospective medical opinion is also needed.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, resulting from a total knee replacement, is now rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's low back disorder has been granted a 40 percent rating.