Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 11, 2014 for the award of a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment as of that date.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to August 26, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for left total knee replacement as secondary to the service-connected right knee strain status post knee replacement, finding no relationship between any currently diagnosed left knee disability and the Veteran's active duty service or the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to her pre-existing condition or a service-connected injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied in a June 2015 rating decision. The Board found the June 2015 decision final and reopened the claim on June 15, 2016. The RO assigned an effective date of June 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis, chronic pain syndrome, and chronic insomnia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his bilateral ankle disabilities. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The decision on service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right knee, right hip, left hip, bilateral foot, bilateral ankle conditions, and joint pain are granted as they are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left little finger disability and granted it. The claims for TBI, right and left knee disabilities, right hip disability, and left hip disability are denied.,Service connection is not established for rhabdomyolysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or reserve service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The regional office will review this evidence and consider its impact on the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar strain, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for removal of left eye cataract and replacement with intraocular lens with traumatic iris damage is denied.,The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion is not rated in excess of 10 percent, but a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's left knee anterior cruciate ligament laxity with limitation of flexion is granted a post-convalescence evaluation of 10 percent from February 1, 2008 to August 19, 2020.,The Veteran's left knee anterior cruciate ligament laxity with locking, effusion and pain is granted a post-convalescence evaluation of 20 percent effective August 19, 2020.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected as it did not originate in service or within one year of discharge, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) cannot be established as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and another remand is required for both left knee disability and hypertension cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple musculoskeletal issues and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 12, 2010. His TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's service connection for left wrist strain is granted, and an initial rating of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion (degenerative joint disease) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee tendonitis and instability have been denied by the Board. The initial rating for right knee tendonitis remains at 10 percent, while a compensable rating for right knee instability prior to March 6, 2018, is also denied.