Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for a VA examination to determine the current severity of all left knee disabilities, including patellofemoral pain syndrome and status post meniscectomy.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his right knee brace was denied because the prescription expired. The Veteran appealed, and the Board has now remanded the case due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's initial rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tear with arthritis was denied, as the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to December 19, 2017 and since December 20, 2017. The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee was also denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear with arthritis is rated at 10 percent prior to December 19, 2017 and at 20 percent since December 20, 2017. The patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee OA, initial compensable rating for limitation of extension of the left knee, increase in disability rating for MDD with anxious distress, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and VA medical records. The VA’s Director of Compensation Service will consider the extraschedular consideration for TDIU.

The Board denied the reduction of ratings for right knee injury and scar, residual of right knee injury status post medial collateral ligament reconstruction. The reductions from 30% to 20%, and from 10% to noncompensable were found proper.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis in multiple joints and other conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was granted. For the left knee disability, a separate rating of 20 percent and a 10 percent rating were assigned. For PTSD, a rating of 70 percent was granted effective prior to January 17, 2017.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the residuals of a right foot crush injury prior to January 25, 2018. The issue of service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The bilateral foot disability claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower-back condition, left-knee condition, and scar on top of the head. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be aggravated in service.

The Board has denied service connection for Meniere’s disease and sleep apnea, but has remanded the claims for left knee disability and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection. The appeals for the left knee and right knee disabilities were dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent each. However, his low back disability, surgical scars, and TDIU claims are remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, an effective date earlier than June 18, 2012 for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and an increased rating in excess of 20 percent disabling for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his back, left knee, and right knee disabilities as they were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for an updated VA examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claim of secondary service connection for his left knee disability prior to 2004, due to a limitation in the previous expert medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his left knee and right hip disabilities, may have worsened since the March 2016 SOC. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the combined effects of these disabilities on his ability to function in an occupational environment.