Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the July 2012 rating decision. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1971-2008 and an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of stress fracture of the bilateral inferior pubic rami, to include pain and arthritic changes is granted. The Board affirms that her current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for higher ratings or service connection in certain cases, but granted a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disorder, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a right foot disability, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be due to his post-service occupation as a day laborer.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and a right arm disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation prior to November 7, 2019, for service-connected surgical scars, right and left knees, is denied.,A compensable rating of 20 percent, beginning November 7, 2019, for service-connected surgical scar, right and left knees, is granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings exceeding 60 percent for his service-connected status post total left knee replacement and status post total right knee replacement are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The scar of the left femur was not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating, and his depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder prior to September 25, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter after that date were also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and fibromyalgia with chondromalacia of the knees, resolving all doubt in her favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and a right leg disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service or his service-connected right ankle disability. The current rating of 10 percent for the right ankle disability is maintained.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability is granted, and the appeal is allowed to that extent. The right knee disability claim remains denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to June 9, 2015, resulted in flexion limited to 100 degrees with associated pain and functional impairment. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on and after May 26, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective October 22, 2019. The right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to internal inconsistency in a March 2020 VA examination report regarding right knee ankylosis, and for obtaining additional treatment records. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his limited mobility, standing endurance, risk of falling, and difficulty with dressing and bathing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders due to a lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, including service treatment records.