Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms of pain and muscle spasms were primarily manifested as a moderately-severe disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasms and a right knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on regular aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him helpless enough to require such assistance prior to May 18, 2017.

The Veteran's right knee DJD, status post arthroscopy, loose body removal, and chondroplasty lateral femoral condyle is rated at 10 percent prior to February 28, 2011, and from May 1, 2011. The Board denied an increased rating for the right knee DJD.

The Board has restored the Veteran's left knee rating from 20 percent to 20 percent effective October 1, 2013. The evidence did not show a sustained improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back disability and right knee disabilities due to procedural and evidentiary inadequacies. The AOJ is required to obtain updated VA treatment records, request private health care provider records, and schedule a retrospective examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from VISTA, and the claim of reopening service connection for a left knee disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee, status post arthropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations and further development of evidence due to insufficient information regarding flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability and an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to current disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent for painful motion and instability, effective September 15, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20% for instability prior to July 1, 2015 and at a separate 10% rating for limitation of motion. No higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee instability associated with arthritis, finding that it causes moderate impairment.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support an increased rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left elbow conditions, obstructive sleep apnea, knee conditions, ankle conditions, shin splints, and low back condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's PTSD has been granted with an initial rating of 70 percent since September 20, 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee meniscal tear as secondary to his service-connected status post total left knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating and TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his left knee condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of osteoarthritis associated with left and right knee ACL reconstructions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including potential pre-service conditions and post-service work injuries. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and a low back disorder should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, finding that his current knee disorders are related to his military service.