Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for an upper back disability, but denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and right hip disabilities.,There is no current evidence of a left or right knee disability at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals regarding TBI, headaches, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance have been withdrawn. The appeal regarding the left knee condition is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, and left foot conditions as well as bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is also denied for a left ankle disability and a left knee disability due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions. The residuals of a left heel condition will be addressed in conjunction with these other issues.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for degenerative changes of the left shoulder and left knee status post ACL reconstruction have been denied, with the claims being remanded for further development.,Higher ratings are not currently warranted for these conditions based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to errors in how they were rated, including a failure to consider whether she should be rated as having four separate disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, are currently rated at 10 percent for each knee. The rating is granted as the conditions meet the criteria of direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his bilateral ankle disabilities, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, intercostal muscle strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis and left knee ACL tear prior to November 15, 2018 were denied. From January 1, 2020, the Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for limited extension and a separate rating of 20 percent for meniscal disability. The right shoulder disability was granted a 40 percent rating from June 19, 2019 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, increased rating for left knee disability, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD and strain, OSA, and depressive disorder secondary to service-connected physical disabilities.,The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's left knee DJD and strain, OSA, and depressive disorder are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the May 2018 VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s preexisting rheumatic fever condition worsened during military service.

The Board has denied service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding that the conditions are not related to service or residuals of a right fibula fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been granted a rating of 10 percent, effective April 9, 2010. Service connection for peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and instability, is granted with a rating of 20 percent prior to July 24, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, as it is unclear if the current opinions address the Veteran's reports of continued pain and symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is determined to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and plantar fasciitis disabilities, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran.