Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left knee strain and chondromalacia, right knee instability, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The Veteran is now receiving a separate 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability and a combined 20 percent evaluation for right knee instability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no separate ratings for instability. The current evaluations are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,Higher ratings for traumatic arthritis and instability in both knees were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including strain, meniscal tear, and degenerative changes, is service-connected as it was incurred during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and a back condition, both secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle sprains. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus.,Additional issues of left knee condition, right foot condition, and breathing condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left and right knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and remand instructions not being followed. The Veteran's back disability claim is also remanded as it did not comply with the remand instructions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee condition and a TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not present a disability picture indicating that TDIU is warranted. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against her claim for a TDIU prior to January 20, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, but has remanded the issues of service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine and DJD of the right knee due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for consideration of all his service-connected disabilities in determining his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a total left knee replacement and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a total right knee replacement, both secondary to his service-connected left ankle condition.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for limitation of motion. A separate rating of 10 percent, but no higher, has been granted for right knee lateral instability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar, status-post right hernia repairs, or for his bilateral hearing loss, right knee scar, tinnitus, PTSD, status-post right knee replacement, or chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to right hip strain and right knee conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee and low back disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD is being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right-knee disorder and OSA, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active service.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's right-knee disorder was less likely caused by an in-service injury or event.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service and that any arthritis pre-existed service. The Board also found no other pathology incurred in-service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a torn ACL and meniscal conditions, has been rated at 30 percent since January 1, 2019. The rating is for the period from January 1, 2019 forward.