Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service.,The VA examiners provided medical opinions concluding that the Veteran’s current knee strains are not related to his in-service airborne operations or any pre-existing ankle condition.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post total left knee arthroplasty, and osteoarthritis of the right knee, with meniscal tear. The Board found that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the appellant's in-service duties involving heavy lifting.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral foot disorder, and disorders affecting his lower extremities due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for this condition. The rating for tinnitus was also denied as it is already at its maximum schedular rating. The back disability and knee disabilities are remanded due to new evidence and potential worsening.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected hip disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted service connection, but his increased rating claims for degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hepatitis C had its onset during his service.

The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent disability evaluation for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion since October 3, 2019. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional medical records.,The Veteran is also required to provide private treatment records from his doctors.

The Board denied the extension of a temporary total evaluation for right knee convalescence, and remanded both the increased rating claim for right knee residuals and the service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are pending further action.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as there is no evidence of more severe impairment.,For the right knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome prior to September 19, 2018, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,From September 19, 2018, the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent due to limited range of motion and pain. However, this rating is denied as it does not exceed the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.,For the left knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if any current left leg disability is related to service.

The Board has identified new evidence that was submitted after the May 2018 Statement of the Case. The Veteran has not waived AOJ review of this additional evidence, so a Supplemental Statement of the Case must be issued to consider all evidence received.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that it manifested in service and is related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination.,An increased rating for hypertension was dismissed due to lack of a timely appeal. The claims for bilateral knee joint diseases are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a liver condition was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The appeals to reopen service connection claims for gout, lumbar strain, and hypertension were all denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right and left knees is granted as service connected due to aggravation by her service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral and thoracic degenerative disc disease, cervical degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and an earlier effective date for TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and a meniscus condition, is not rated higher than the current 10 percent for limitation of motion or instability. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from a previous VA examiner and requests for additional medical records.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hypertension and service connection for multiple joint pain. The Veteran's hypertension was found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating, while his claim for service connection for multiple joint pain was denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosed disability or qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities as the evidence does not show a current disability that had its onset during or is otherwise related to military service.