Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The right and left knee disabilities are denied increased ratings.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left knee laceration were both rated at a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations.,Both conditions have been found to not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hallux valgus with osteoarthritis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint of the great toes and left knee chondromalacia patella with osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder including major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, knee, right-hand, ankle, neck, and foot conditions. The remand requires a new VA examination to address the nature of these disabilities and their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective January 1, 2020. The initial rating claims for knee and back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for more than a 10 percent rating for right knee disability and nonservice-connected pension (NSCP) due to failure to report for an August 2019 VA examination. Additional development is needed to ensure compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for his son D.A. as a 'helpless child' on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18 is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, with separate evaluations for dislocated semilunar cartilage prior to July 11, 2014 (20 percent), and the removal of semilunar cartilage effective from that date (10 percent). The highest schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261 is not met.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted ratings of 10 percent each, effective prior to December 9, 2019. A separate 10 percent rating has also been granted for left knee instability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remands. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence for his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of probative value in the November 1970 separation examination. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left ischium fracture and associated psychiatric disorder, right patellofemoral syndrome, left thigh strain, right pes planus and plantar fasciitis, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left foot disability, have been found to meet the criteria for a combined rating of 60 percent. As such, he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and low back disability due to incomplete rationale in previous VA medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist is currently rated at 30 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted.,Prior to August 13, 2012, his degenerative arthritis of the left knee with a Baker's cyst was rated at 10 percent. A higher rating is not warranted for this condition either.,His residuals of total left knee arthroplasty are currently rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to address medical literature submitted by the Veteran regarding his service-connected disabilities and their potential impact on his left lower extremity disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic left knee disorder, chronic right knee disorder, chronic left ankle disorder, and chronic right ankle disorder were denied. Her claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for chloracne and for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, right knee, and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened due to new and material evidence being received.