Knee decisions — 2020

The Board granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability of the right and left knees, but denied increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee from January 31, 2007 to May 2012.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis was granted a rating of 30 percent from August 21, 2019 to January 13, 2020. Postoperative residuals of patella tendon rupture were also granted but at a lower rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for back and right knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU prior to September 29, 2015.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and knees were not incurred in service, nor are they otherwise related to his service. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to neck and right knee disabilities, as well as his lay statements regarding ongoing symptoms since in-service accidents.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection as they are related to a deceased Veteran.

The appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and the TDIU claim from January 20, 2010 to October 28, 2014 are dismissed. The effective date earlier than June 2, 2009 for the award of service connection for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage of the right knee is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure at Korat RTAFB Thailand. The left knee and breathing issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA spine examination to determine the current nature and etiology of the claimed back condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been denied as there is no competent evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during a period of honorable service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral eye disability and shoulder disabilities, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The earliest post-service records of the claimed disabilities are over four decades after discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 6, 2015 until June 14, 2016. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinions provided are not adequate to support a denial of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability. The Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of all currently present left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, along with his PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disability and denied claims for left ankle, bilateral hip, bronchitis, sinus, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis, right foot. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disorder (sacroiliitis) is granted service connection. Ratings for left and right knee PFPS are denied prior to March 11, 2015, but granted at 10 percent from that date. TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to fatigue and sleep disturbances, a lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,No specific rating has been assigned as all issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome right knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate findings in previous VA examinations. The Veteran needs a new examination that addresses the current nature and severity of his condition, including flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability.