Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection in multiple areas, including left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis and arthritis and muscle spasms of right shoulder, need further development to verify her Reserve service periods. The remaining issues are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's left knee DJD resulted in a 20 percent rating for recurrent subluxation, but the ratings for limitation of flexion and extension were denied. The right knee DJD was also granted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's left knee tricompartmental arthritis and instability have been rated at 10 percent prior to March 17, 2016. From September 10, 2010 to October 5, 2015, he was granted a separate 20 percent rating for his left knee instability. The Veteran's meniscus tear has been rated at 20 percent from September 10, 2010 to March 17, 2016. From October 5, 2015 to March 17, 2016, he was granted a separate 20 percent rating for his left knee instability. Since May 1, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a 60 percent rating for his left knee total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hand disability (arthritis), bilateral knee disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, gall bladder removal residuals, thyroid condition, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claims are pending on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The reduction of the disability rating for residuals, injury to the left knee, with lateral retinacular release (left knee disability), from 30 percent to 10 percent, was improper. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination or opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities. The claims for service connection and special monthly compensation are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, right knee limitation of extension, and left knee chondromalacia are being remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a new examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any left or right knee disorders, as well as whether service-connected bilateral pes planus caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to February 25, 2011 for the grant of service connection for prostatitis and service connection for constipation have been dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability have also been dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no current clinical diagnosis and no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional development. The Veteran's right knee condition, back condition, left knee condition, and right shoulder condition are all under review.

The Veteran's right knee condition is granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of the meniscal cartilage. A 10 percent rating is also granted for left ankle strain, and a 30 percent rating is granted for irritable bowel syndrome. The appeal regarding ratings for left elbow lateral epicondylitis, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, and right knee limitation of motion from August 24, 2016 forward is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), and sleep apnea.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's residuals of fracture of the left index finger.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The denial of joint disorders/arthritis, low blood pressure, headaches, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also noted.,Service connection cannot be granted for any of these conditions due to lack of competent evidence linking them to active service or events therein.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his right hip, knee, and foot disabilities have been denied. The current ratings of 50 percent for the right hip, 10 percent for the right knee, and 20 percent for the right foot are upheld.