Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left shoulder impingement syndrome. The right shoulder disability, right index finger disability, and the disability productive of diarrhea are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show moderate instability, flexion limited to 45 degrees, or extension limited to 10 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examination regarding range of motion testing.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of such a condition or any symptoms reaching the level of functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The diagnoses are related to in-service duties and/or the service-connected low back sprain.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder condition, bilateral elbow condition, left ankle condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s right and left knee disabilities did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or extension, but remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is related to his service and grants entitlement to service connection.

All claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all issues on appeal except for his claims for an increased rating for headaches and a TDIU.,For the entire appeal period from July 29, 2013 to present, a rating of 50 percent has been granted for service-connected headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person due to the functional limitations, including inability to prepare meals, manage finances, and perform necessary hygiene tasks.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Separate 20 percent ratings have been granted for left and right knee meniscal conditions with episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, cervical, right ankle, left leg, bilateral knee (right and left), right knee, left knee, headaches, and gastrointestinal conditions. The Board found no current disability in any of these areas and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, cervical, right ankle, left leg, bilateral knee (right and left), right knee, left knee, headaches, and gastrointestinal conditions. The Board found that there is no current evidence of a disability in these areas during the period under consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, cervical, right ankle, left leg, bilateral knee (right and left), right knee, left knee, headaches, and gastrointestinal conditions. The Board found no current disability in any of these areas and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, cervical, right ankle, left leg, bilateral knee (right and left), right knee, left knee, headaches, and gastrointestinal conditions. The Board found no current disability in any of these areas and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right foot, right ankle, right knee, left knee, and right leg length discrepancy. The claims are based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injury resulting from his fractured right tibia and fibula.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and bilateral foot disability, as well as service connection for various conditions, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD or bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder has been reopened. The initial disability rating for bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to December 8, 2019 is granted at 10 percent. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection of fibromyalgia. The other issues related to neck, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities have been denied.