Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to an initial compensable rating for scar, left shoulder status post surgery. The remaining issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, thoracic spine disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was granted a 20% evaluation effective February 24, 2015. A separate 10% rating for right knee meniscal tear surgery and ACL reconstruction is also granted. The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension remains at a maximum 30% since January 31, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his service connection claims for lumbosacral spine and right knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and lumbar strain have been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome in both knees has been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected medial tibial stress syndrome in both legs has been remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been remanded for an examination to determine whether he currently has a disability within the meaning of VA regulation.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral eye condition has been remanded for an examination to determine whether any diagnosed conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.,The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, left hand, right hip, right thigh, bilateral ankle, bilateral foot, and bilateral toe disabilities have been remanded for examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if his current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right knee arthralgia, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, cardiovascular condition, gastrointestinal disability, skin disability, hair loss, neurologic symptoms in the upper extremities, and pulmonary vascular disease. The decision also granted an initial 20 percent rating for plantar fascial fibromatosis with hammertoe right foot and left foot starting December 21, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 15, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right arm, right wrist, left wrist, low back, right knee, and left knee conditions did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's left knee strain has been rated at 10 percent since March 27, 2013. The disability is manifested by flexion limited to 110 degrees with painful motion beginning in July 2014.,The Veteran's shin splints of the left lower extremity have not met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5262, as there are no findings of limitation of motion or instability. The disability is manifested by minimal symptoms of pain and burning with exercise.

The Board dismissed the appeal for adding a dependent to the Veteran's compensation award. The claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability were denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for right knee instability from 20 percent to noncompensable was improper and restored the prior 20 percent rating. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for right lower extremity cutaneous nerve impairment are remanded.

Service connection for right shoulder strain and degenerative arthritis is granted.,Initial ratings of 10 percent, but no higher, for right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion are granted.,Initial ratings of 20 percent, but no higher, for right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension are granted.,TDIU from March 14, 2017 is granted.,TDIU prior to March 14, 2017 on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for left knee and left hand disorders have been denied. The claim for PTSD has resulted in a rating of 70 percent, but no higher, prior to April 22, 2016.,PTSD ratings from April 22, 2016 onwards are also denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disorder and a right ankle disorder are denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence regarding his spine and neuropathy disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's lumbar back strain, left patellofemoral knee disorder, and right hip strain are remanded for further examination and rating considerations.,The Veteran's respiratory disorder is remanded to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (presumed PTSD) is remanded to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left knee disability, scar on the back of the head, and scars on the right leg. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to service or any other valid theory of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as to consider new evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his right and left knee disabilities are still pending due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his knee, foot, hip, and headache disabilities. The appeals are currently pending.