Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's gout, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, left wrist disability, and athlete’s foot are denied.,A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present right wrist, left knee, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, GERD, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, fracture of the left distal fibula and tibia, and bowel incontinence is granted. An effective date prior to September 27, 2006 for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is denied. A rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder from December 12, 2013 through May 19, 2017 is denied. An earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status prior to May 19, 2017 is also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to active service. The Veteran's prostate cancer, impotency, urinary continence, and residuals of fractured left knee are also remanded for further development.,Service connection for prostate cancer, impotency (secondary to prostate cancer), urinary continence (secondary to prostate cancer), and residuals of fractured left knee (including arthritis) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbosacral epidural abscess, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, left ankle osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were incurred during active duty service or active duty for training. The Board remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee instability due to torn ACL is restored to a 10% rating effective September 1, 2018. The ratings for coronary artery disease and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle are granted with effective dates of May 20, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is etiologically related to his time in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered the remand of cases involving higher staged ratings for left knee disorders and a TDIU determination due to inadequate development in previous decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee conditions have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and remanded his claim of service connection for a personality disorder, finding that secondary service connection is not possible due to the nature of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and right knee DJD have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine disorder also being granted service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability is denied, and the service connection claim for bilateral hip trochanteric tendonitis as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability is also denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and extension, lateral instability, and painful scars, has been granted a higher rating. However, the Veteran does not meet criteria for a greater than 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion or extension at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, left arm, and lower back disabilities. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been rated as 10 percent disabling each under Diagnostic Code 5257, but the appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome has been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260 and her right knee strain has also been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5261. The appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.,The Veteran's left leg varicose veins have been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7120, but the appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee disability, granted separate ratings of 10 percent for painful noncompensable limitation of motion from April 3, 2015 to January 24, 2019, and for limitation of extension since January 25, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for an additional VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The examiner is asked to assess functional loss due to pain, incoordination, weakened movement, and excess fatigability on use.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and left hip disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations. The appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if additional rating criteria can be applied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. The appeals for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), diarrhea, left knee disability, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, vitiligo, and balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) were remanded.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease status post arthroscopic surgery and an initial rating greater than 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, while his obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50 percent.