Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to moderate symptoms.,The Veteran's left knee scar is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent), and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this matter.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic low back strain, chronic nerve condition, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred these conditions during his verified ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The left knee and right knee disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations, with separate ratings assigned for semilunar cartilage dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for a right-hand skin condition, right and left lower extremity varicose veins, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the right knee condition claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee DJD has been manifested by painful limitation of motion with x-ray confirmed DJD without recurrent subluxation, instability, or ankylosis. The range of motion is no worse than 0 degrees extension to 90 degrees flexion even taking into account functional impairment during flare-ups or due to repetitive use.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to April 24, 2017 and from June 1, 2018. The left knee disability was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to August 7, 2018 and from October 1, 2019 to February 6, 2020 and from April 1, 2020.,The Veteran's right knee disability is now rated at 100 percent due to total knee replacement surgeries. The left knee disability remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleeping disorder has been denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for PTSD and right hand disability have also been denied, with effective dates set at September 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee strain, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and thoracolumbar spine strain due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for a temporary total rating due to convalescence was also denied, as the surgery did not require at least one month of convalescence. The hypertension claim resulted in a 20% evaluation from February 10, 2006 to April 21, 2018 and a denial for higher ratings thereafter. Migraine headaches were found not to meet criteria for a rating in excess of 30%. TMJ was denied a compensable evaluation. Right and left Achilles tendonitis and right healed metatarsal stress fracture with metatarsalgia were each denied evaluations in excess of 20%. Left knee strain was also denied an evaluation in excess of 10%. Service connection for screw and dental implant, as well as bilateral hearing loss disability, was not reopened.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, major depressive disorder, right wrist disorder, and lichen planus are granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are remanded due to the passage of time since the last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right shoulder, right knee, right foot, and right hip disabilities due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions due to a lack of STRs and an incomplete examination. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include hypertension, back disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee disability, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac disability all potentially related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar strain with arthritis, torn medial meniscus of the right knee, and left knee tibia/fibula fracture to obtain additional development as requested in prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings of right and left knee disabilities, low back disability, and sciatica in both lower extremities due to failure of the August 2020 examiner to distinguish symptoms and impacts on functioning from each other and from other service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. A new examination is required to comply with the Board’s previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate range of motion testing in previous examinations. The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee DJD, as well as his back disability, are being reviewed.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear and right knee partial anterior cruciate ligament deficiency have been granted initial evaluations. The left knee limitation of extension has also been granted, while the right knee limitations of flexion are denied.