Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a service connection for neck condition, to include as secondary to service-connected right shoulder disability. Further development is required.

The Board granted a separate rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis, based on meniscus tear, effective October 9, 2019. The Veteran previously had a 10 percent rating for limitation of motion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee and right foot disabilities, finding new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,Service connection is being remanded for both right knee and right foot disabilities due to the need for further development.

The Veteran withdrew all of the issues on appeal, including those related to service connection for various disabilities. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, right thumb disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and right wrist disorder are all granted service connection.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, right thumb disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and right wrist disorder. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her service-connected temporomandibular joint syndrome was denied.,The application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee strain, and left hip bursitis due to insufficient examination reports and failure to address functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability, but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for service-connected right knee strain with degenerative changes due to inadequate VA examination findings. The Veteran's current disability rating remains at 10 percent for flexion and 0 percent for extension.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's headaches are proximately due to his service-connected right knee condition, PTSD, and tinnitus. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and right knee disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, including arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right leg is also service connected. These decisions are based on evidence showing that his disabilities were aggravated by an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there was no direct causation or aggravation of an existing condition during service. The evidence did not show any worsening beyond normal progression.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability is being remanded to obtain clarification on the specific diagnostic codes and functional impairments related to his condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits were denied. The right lower extremity below the knee amputation is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5165.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his stump scar was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

Service connection for adult onset diabetes mellitus (ACE) is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,Service connection for right shoulder arthritis is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition was related to service, specifically a football injury during active duty and subsequent treatment in service.,Service connection for left knee disability is denied. The Board concluded there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service or any nexus between the current condition and service-connected conditions.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted based on its manifestation in service and after separation from service.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced ringing in his ears since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the reductions in ratings for right knee chondromalacia patella and instability were improper due to failure to meet regulatory requirements. The effective dates remain unchanged.