Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is considered a contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's initial and increased evaluations for left knee chondromalacia patella prior to June 2, 2010, from June 2, 2010 through June 8, 2011, and since August 1, 2011 have all been denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected right knee disability was granted, with a 20% rating for limitation of flexion prior to May 29, 2018 and a separate 20% rating for subluxation and instability. A 100% rating was granted following total knee arthroplasty on May 29, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The rating for PTSD remains unchanged as the symptoms do not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition has been reopened, and his PTSD with insomnia and unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective from February 6, 2015 to June 1, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and lumbar spine, and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was assigned a 20% disability rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee disability, PTSD, lower back disability, and TDIU. The appeal was remanded for a new VA examination regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee condition, which he claims is related to his service-connected right ankle sprain with psoriatic arthritis. The case will be returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left wrist, and right wrist DJD have been reopened. Service connection is granted for right knee DJD, status post total knee arthroplasty, and bilateral wrist DJD as secondary to the use of crutches for service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, right knee, left hip, and eye disabilities due to service-connected pes planus. The issues include determining if these conditions are related to service or aggravated by pes planus, as well as assessing their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to the need for another VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current right knee condition, as well as whether it is related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed due to the Veteran's testimony indicating an increase in knee pain since his last VA examination. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee strain with meniscus tear are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee condition and major depressive disorder due to a lack of medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities manifested by pain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to in-service events and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flat foot disability worsened during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA). The issues are being remanded for VA examinations to provide opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee, left knee, right hip, lower back, left ankle, and right foot disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or any pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of prior communication from the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of various conditions including left shoulder, right shoulder, left hand, right hand, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral lower extremities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hand disorder, neck disorder, and lumbar spine disorder were denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for left knee disorder was reopened due to new evidence linking it to his right knee disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder was granted based on the submission of new evidence.