Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) and other conditions are denied. The Board has remanded for further review of the remaining issues.

The Veteran's right knee acquired genu varum deformity and traumatic arthritis and instability were evaluated, with the right knee acquired genu varum deformity receiving a 30% evaluation from October 23, 2012 to October 22, 2013. On and after October 23, 2013, his right knee traumatic arthritis and instability was rated at 10%. The Veteran's right knee disabilities were denied for higher evaluations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) as the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability but denied service connection for sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and patellar spurring of the right knee, as well as obstructive sleep apnea, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities associated with degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities associated with degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for Factor V Leiden mutation and left knee disability, but granted service connection for residuals of status post left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. The decision also noted that the Veteran's right knee condition did not cause her left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for various initial disability ratings related to his service-connected conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee chondromalacia and instability, as well as a TDIU prior to April 7, 2015, were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has remanded his claims for service connection of back and knee disorders due to insufficient evidence. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement and left total knee replacement have been granted a rating of 60 percent, effective as of August 1, 2013 for the right knee and August 1, 2012 for the left knee.,Both knees are rated under Diagnostic Code 5055 due to prosthetic replacements.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for dementia and remanded claims for a seizure disability, imbalance, psychiatric disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's seizure disability is being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's effective date for a 60 percent disability rating for total left knee replacement is set at April 9, 2011. This decision grants the Veteran an earlier effective date based on evidence of increased severity in his service-connected condition prior to his claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to errors in their previous decisions, including not considering whether the Veteran's headaches are related to his service and left ear surgery. The Veteran is required to be examined for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee sprain and degenerative joint disease, to include ACL tear, status-post arthroscopy, as well as for his left knee medial meniscal tear. The claim for a separate rating for left knee instability was granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board also remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The case is remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current left knee disability. The secondary service connection claims for bilateral hip disabilities and carotid artery aneurysm are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The Board found that the current disorders are not related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for psychiatric disability, right shoulder and knee disabilities, sleep apnea, hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The AOJ is instructed to obtain SSA records, request VA examination reports, and adjudicate TDIU.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for TDIU due to notification from the Veteran. The cases of increased ratings for low back and left knee disabilities are remanded.