Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's combined disability rating was properly calculated using the Combined Ratings Table, resulting in a 90 percent rating as of May 14, 2002. The earlier effective date for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, abdominal disorder, GERD, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are all granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective October 19, 2015.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent for total right and left knee replacements due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

Throughout the pendency of the appeal, an increased rating of 20 percent for status post right ankle injury degenerative joint disease with achilles tendonitis is granted.,Throughout the pendency of the appeal, a separate 10 percent rating for instability of left knee meniscal injury and degenerative joint disease is granted. Throughout the pendency of the appeal, a 20 percent rating for effusion, pain, and 'locking' of left knee meniscal injury and degenerative joint disease is granted.,Throughout the pendency of the appeal, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of both the left and right knees, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within a presumptive period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no continuity of symptoms after service and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and in-service injuries.

The Board denied increased ratings for left and right knee instability and patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate more than moderate or slight subluxation or lateral instability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee degenerative joint disease (left knee disability), PTSD, migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, bilateral hearing loss, and TBI have been granted service connection.,An initial rating of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete VA treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a right hamstring tear and service connection for a scar on the right knee. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to new evidence and testimony.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for initial review of additional records by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing a link between his current knee and back disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's heart disability, including his pacemaker implantation and atrial fibrillation, is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to service-connected PTSD medications. The left knee condition is also being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not secondary to his right knee disability.,reasoning_summary

Your appeals for left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for service connection of left knee strain and instability from June 24, 2008. Attorney fees in the amount of 20% of past-due benefits awarded are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that these conditions were incurred during her active military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right knee conditions has been denied.,For the period prior to December 7, 2016, the Veteran is already receiving a 10 percent rating. For the period from December 7, 2016 through December 20, 2019, he is rated at 20 percent. From December 20, 2019 to present, his condition warrants no more than a 40 percent rating.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability under DC 5258 and a separate rating of 10 percent under DC 5257. The decision is based on frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from the Puerto Rico State Insurance Fund. The Veteran is required to provide authorization and VA will request their medical records.