Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's initial increased disability ratings for right hip bursitis and impairment of the right thigh associated with bursitis of the right hip are denied prior to March 17, 2014.,The Veteran's initial increased disability rating for right knee retropatellar pain syndrome is denied prior to March 17, 2014. The maximum schedular rating authorized under applicable criteria has been assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle, left knee, and low back disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's bowel incontinence is granted as secondary to her service-connected back disability. The left and right knee disabilities are denied, with the Board finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or chronic disability within one year after separation from service. Asthma is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including post-surgery meniscectomy and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there was no limitation of motion sufficient to warrant an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

For the entire period on appeal, an initial evaluation of 50 percent for a headache disorder is granted.,Prior to May 14, 2016, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left shoulder disability is denied. From May 14, 2016, an evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for the same condition is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disability is denied. Prior to July 24, 2019, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the Veteran’s service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is granted.,For the period on appeal prior to July 24, 2019, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability is denied. From July 24, 2019, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the same condition is remanded.

The Veteran's DMII does not require regulation of activities, and his lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to May 8, 2019, and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran’s right shoulder, cervical spine, right knee, and right foot disabilities are all rated at the maximum allowable under their respective diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's fecal leakage and chronic nerve problems were not found to be service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding a separate rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage under DC 5259. The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and postoperative residuals have been rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's left knee replacement and postoperative DJD are currently rated at 60 percent, effective March 1, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected impotence associated with residuals status post-prostatectomy was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition was granted.

Service connection granted for PTSD and denied for other conditions. The case is remanded for further examination regarding right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cardiovascular disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action, including obtaining SSA records and adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's GERD, left shoulder disability, insomnia, hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, flat feet (pes planus), and tinnitus are not service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the claim and that the condition did not manifest within one year of service or have continuity since separation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for several shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to incomplete records from in-patient treatment at Diego Garcia.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and arthritis, is rated at 20 percent from August 25, 2014 to June 8, 2016. The Veteran's right hip tenosynovitis and right knee osteoarthritis are each rated at 10 percent. Service connection for left ankle disability, SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to service, granting their claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examinations and issues related to functional loss during flare-ups. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other claims.