Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for various service-connected disabilities, including eczematoid dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right patellofemoral pain syndrome with shin splints and anterior compartment syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with shin splints and anterior compartment syndrome, left hip disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypogonadism, esophageal stricture with esophageal polyp and Schatzki's ring, and ventral hernia status post-surgery with rectus diastasis.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for back problems, left shoulder replacement, right hip replacement, left hip replacement, left knee replacement, and high blood pressure. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis is denied.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraines prior to September 24, 2019 is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion and functional loss.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The initial rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee (limitation of flexion) remains at 10 percent, and a separate 20 percent rating is granted for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion to the joint from May 15, 2019. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for instability of the right knee prior to May 15, 2019 was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and granted a separate non-compensable rating for limitation of extension. The current ratings are effective as of March 22, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left knee condition was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion that would warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's skin conditions were found to be less likely related to service or an undiagnosed illness, and thus denial of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not begin during his military service or were otherwise caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain VA treatment records, including fee emergency room documentation and physical therapy records from September 2013 and September 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to May 28, 2015 are remanded due to inadequate VA examination. The rating for right lower extremity nerve disability is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 50 percent for the entire rating period from May 16, 2013. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and the need for a new addendum opinion considering the Veteran's lay assertions of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is rated at 60 percent since June 27, 2019. The right knee disability was also rated at 60 percent effective June 27, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and left shoulder condition due to new evidence received since the June 2016 statement of the case. The AOJ must consider this additional evidence, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities and service connection for a right shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's knee conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other functional impairments.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further evidence. The right and left ankle disabilities are currently rated at 20% each, while the left knee scar remains at 0%. Further examination or evidence is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left ankle disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The right ankle disability, tendonitis and lateral collateral ligament sprain, as well as the right knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tear are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10%, the left hip disability at 10%, and all other conditions were not granted service connection.