Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee (prior to March 2, 2015), instability residuals of the left knee (prior to March 2, 2015), and scars were denied. The Board found no nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.,Secondary service connection was also established for right hip, left hip, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition, presbyopia and astigmatism of the eyes, obstructive sleep apnea, left upper extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral nerve radiculopathy, surgical scars on knees, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, total right knee replacement, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinea corporis and onychomycosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, rectal fissures/hemorrhoids, malaria residuals, and service connection for TDIU have been granted. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, right hand strain, left hand strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain. The issue of service connection for asthma is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee conditions, including meniscus tear and chondromalacia patella, are rated at a separate 20 percent for residuals of the meniscectomy. The limitation of motion is rated at 10 percent, and instability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely cause of any ankle and knee disabilities present during the appeal period, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for denying service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran's statements about marching with heavy loads during service are considered, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee was granted based on evidence showing it is at least as likely as not related to his service.

The RO restored the 20 percent evaluation for left knee injury with instability effective September 11, 2012.,The RO denied entitlement to increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability prior to May 8, 2018.,The RO granted a noncompensable evaluation for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension effective May 8, 2018.,The RO denied entitlement to increased rating in excess of 30 percent for left total knee arthroplasty on and after July 1, 2019.,The RO granted an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the right knee with limitation of flexion prior to September 11, 2012.,The RO denied entitlement to increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the right knee with instability prior to September 11, 2012.,The RO granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the right knee on and after September 11, 2012.,The RO denied entitlement to increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the right knee with instability on and after September 11, 2012.,The RO granted a noncompensable evaluation for right knee degenerative changes with limitation of extension effective September 11, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation and noting that Osgood-Schlatter’s disease pre-existed service. The Board also found no aggravation during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's COPD was incurred in service or is otherwise attributable to his active service.,The Board remanded the claims for right and left knee conditions, bilateral foot conditions, and low back condition due to insufficient development of the record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues of right knee disorder, nasal fracture residuals, and headache disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for her left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board has granted the reopening of service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders based on new evidence that supports a link to service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the aggravation of flat feet. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 50% from June 11, 2019 onwards. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 58 percent, which is less than the required 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for depressive disorder and left knee scar were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent for the depressive disorder prior to December 19, 2019 or a rating in excess of 70 percent since then. For the left knee scar, no compensable rating was assigned as the scars were not painful or unstable and did not affect an area greater than 39 square centimeters.