Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her left knee scar, finding that there was no objective evidence of painful or unstable scars. The noncompensable rating currently assigned under Diagnostic Code 7805 is considered appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, ischemic heart disease, and various gunshot wound residuals, have resulted in loss of use of the lower extremities. The Board has granted specially adapted housing for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The temporary total ratings for right and left knee surgeries were also denied as the evidence did not show severe postoperative residuals or immobilization.,The Veteran's application for TDIU was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate duty-to-assist compliance. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or adequate medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD) have been granted. The case is remanded to further develop evidence related to these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, knee scars, and TBI. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back strain, left foot condition, right foot condition, and left knee condition are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) from August 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right and left knee disabilities are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for service-connected left and right knee degenerative arthritis instability, as well as the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 12, 2013. The Veteran is required to provide a complete address for the Bryan LGH West Med Center in order to obtain VA treatment records from December 2019 to the present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left knee conditions due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for lower back condition, bilateral knee condition, and skin condition (porphyria cutanea tarda).

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, but his higher ratings for various disabilities and effective date claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims regarding his service-connected disabilities, specifically left knee and bilateral ankle conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations from an examiner with sufficient expertise.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability and a right thigh injury, to include as secondary to a right knee disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence showing no limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to worsening symptoms reported during a recent hearing. An updated VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The right knee and left hip disorders, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI), right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, major depressive disorder, and left rib calcium build-up are all considered new and material evidence has been presented.,A 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle calcaneus fracture is granted effective January 4, 2012. An initial 70 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and bipolar I disorder) is granted from April 29, 2013.

The Veteran's low back condition, bilateral knee disability, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been established for degenerative disc disease of the low back, a meniscal tear with degenerative changes in bilateral knees, an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the right knee, and PTSD.

All claims for service connection related to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies is remanded.