Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee DJD and instability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability that is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The rating of 20 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the January 1988 rating decision reducing the Veteran's left knee disability from 10% to noncompensable was based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), and therefore, the 10% rating is restored.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar strain, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been denied. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to in-service events or conditions.,There is no clear evidence of a chronic condition during service, and any post-service arthritis is not shown as having started during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee strain and remanded the issues of service connection for right ankle disorder and a compensable initial rating for right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee PFS and service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, headache disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's claim for dizziness was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis or functional impairment associated with the condition. For headaches, there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or post-service. Regarding the right knee, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic disease shown in service and could not establish continuity of symptomatology since service.,The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for hypertension was pending before the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and the need for additional records. The Veteran's left knee disorder is being reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or treatment related to the current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 10, 2011. The Board determined that the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

Service connection is granted for a right shoulder disability.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hand, wrists, hip, knee, elbow, ankle, and foot disabilities.,Service connection is denied for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee and elbow conditions have been rated, with the right knee receiving a 30% rating since March 1, 2014. The right elbow has received various ratings over time, including initial grants of 20%, but no higher, from November 9, 2016 to October 30, 2019 and a compensable rating thereafter.

Service connection for headaches and bilateral upper extremity paresthesia has been granted.,The claim for diffuse musculoskeletal pain is being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disorder was rated at 10 percent from December 29, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not support a disability rating in excess of this level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and TDIU prior to September 29, 2018 due to incomplete VA records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a bilateral knee disability due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.