Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent disability rating, effective January 17, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (including as secondary to cervical spine disability), and left knee disability. The Board found that the pre-existing cervical spine disability did not worsen during service, and there was no evidence of a current lumbar or left knee disability related to service. The Veteran's left knee disability is presumed to have been sound at entry into service.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, left ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, lower back condition, and headaches is denied as there are no new or material evidence to reopen the claims. The current rating for PTSD already covers her anxiety and depression symptoms.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left knee instability, bilateral dry eyes, and right foot injury residuals have been granted at a 20 percent rating each. The appeal is now remanded for further evaluation of the left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left knee arthrotomy residuals was denied. The VA determined that the current limitation of motion in flexion (to 130 degrees) does not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations in October 2017. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right leg and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disorders. The Veteran is advised to provide any additional medical evidence and report for scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension and instability were restored to their previous ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, effective May 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically his service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral flatfoot due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee joint pain, which manifested in 2012 and is considered an undiagnosed illness, has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees are denied. The Board found no evidence that her knee disabilities caused or aggravated her lumbosacral spine disability, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, chronic back pain, hypertension, hepatitis C, renal disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) due to outstanding medical records and in-service stressor verification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no direct evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's knee issues were not related to environmental exposures during his tour in Southwest Asia and did not have a clear etiology from service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 8, 2011 to October 12, 2015 for limitation of left knee flexion was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability had worsened beyond what is contemplated by the current 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis are currently assigned separate 10 percent evaluations, which the Board finds insufficient to warrant higher ratings based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to failure to appear for VA examinations. The Board will reschedule the exams and consider the issues.