Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20% since December 16, 2019.,The Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty alone does not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to February 26, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee chondromalacia and internal derangement disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the chondromalacia or 10 percent for the internal derangement. A separate 20 percent rating was granted for lateral instability.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Veteran's right ankle osteoarthritis is granted service connection. The issues regarding her left hip and left knee conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right knee disability, and asthma due to inadequate or incomplete VA examinations. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities are not service-connected as they are less likely than not related to his active duty.,His low back disability is also denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is granted an initial rating of 40 percent since October 7, 1997. The right knee meniscus disorder is also granted an initial rating of 20 percent since October 7, 1997. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for limitation of right knee extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination and development of his history of flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and soft tissue sarcoma due to the need for further development of the record.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connected the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. The decision is based on medical evidence showing fluctuating hearing acuity and in-service injury to knees, with no presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issues of service connection for ankle fracture, knee condition, and heart condition have not been returned to the Board.

The Board has restored a 20 percent evaluation for left knee instability effective May 1, 2014. The reduction from 20% to 10% was improper due to the Veteran's persistent left knee instability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, residual scars from post-service surgery, and ear disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his eye scars.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinea pedis with tinea cruris, as it did not cover more than 40% of his body or exposed areas. For other conditions, the preponderance of the evidence was against finding a direct relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome (including bursitis), right knee osteoarthritis, left knee disorder including strain, meniscal tear, and osteoarthritis, and right and left lower extremity disorders manifested by leg pain due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee arthritis is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate examination report, specifically regarding PROM and ROM testing on weight and non-weight bearing.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have begun during service or be related to any in-service injury, and the claim is denied.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's right knee disability began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The claim for this condition is denied.,Similarly, there is no evidence that the Veteran's left knee disability began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The claim for this condition is also denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a rating of 30 percent for limitation of extension, effective from November 25, 2015. The other issues were either granted or maintained at the same level.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.