Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left and right knee braces were prescribed for his service-connected bilateral knee strain disabilities, causing damage to his clothing. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2016 calendar year based on this.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 50% disabling prior to March 11, 2013.,The Veteran’s lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20% since October 21, 2006. The claim for a higher rating is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and issues related to notification. The right knee disorder claim will be reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, PTSD, and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, personnel records, SSA records, and a Correia compliant examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show more than mild recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, flexion limited to at least 45 degrees, or extension limited to at least 10 degrees even considering pain and other factors. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of right ankle arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show marked limited motion.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the right knee condition, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee instability and degenerative joint disease have been granted a 20 percent disability rating, but the appeal for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability is remanded. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease has also been granted.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, which is claimed to be related to his service-connected pes planus. The examiner must address the Veteran's assertions of wear and tear associated with abnormal weight bearing due to his pes planus, as well as previous VA examination reports and medical literature.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left leg disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability related to service or a service-connected condition.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knee has been granted.,Service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has also been granted.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for her service connection claims have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, and an increase in rating for nephrolithiasis. The issues are also related to his left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability was denied for increased evaluations from December 1, 2008 to October 2, 2017 and since October 2, 2017. A separate rating of 10% is granted for arthritis with painful limited motion in the right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for these records, and a medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right knee synovitis has been rated at 10 percent since May 2002. The current evidence does not support a higher rating as the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and painful motion prior to May 30, 2012, is granted a 20 percent rating. The rating for status post right knee reconstruction from August 1, 2013 onwards remains at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient development and lack of medical nexus opinions. The Veteran is required to provide more specific information about his in-service stressors, a VA examination must be provided for psychiatric disorders, and further examinations are needed for the lumbar spine, right knee, left foot numbness, bilateral hip pain, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, left knee strain, and insomnia were denied. The Veteran was granted separate ratings for his left knee instability and cartilage disability, but the latter was later reduced to zero percent effective August 27, 2018. Initial ratings for insomnia were also granted.