Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and tinnitus have been reopened, but the issues are being remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board denied a disability rating more than 10 percent for left knee strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant such an increase based on limited range of motion and no instability or subluxation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee conditions, including arthritis, instability, and cartilage issues with frequent locking and effusion, are now rated at 20 percent. The previous ratings for limitation of extension (20%) and instability (10%) have been maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left hip disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected loss of use of the left foot, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cold injury residuals, including Raynaud's disease, in the bilateral hands and a right knee disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide updated evidence or cooperate with VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and current disabilities being related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for right knee total knee replacement and determined that this condition was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The decision is based on evidence showing compensatory changes in gait due to the left knee disability, which led to aggravation of the right knee.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for a right ankle fracture.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, osteophytosis, and facet hypertrophy, is service-connected as it was caused by his duty specialty of Boatswain Mate.

The Veteran was granted an extraschedular TDIU for the period prior to October 31, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints and bilateral knee disability have also been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, knee, and ankle disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if her current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, liver disorder, and disability manifested by pain in the bilateral ankles, knees, shoulders, low back, and neck due to incomplete development. The kidney disorder claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date for service connection for tinnitus is April 20, 2017, the earliest date of receipt of a claim.,For left knee disability (status post total left knee replacement), the effective date is June 24, 2015, based on the date of surgery. For left knee scar, the effective date is August 25, 2016, based on the date of receipt of a claim.,For right knee DJD with limitation of extension, the earliest effective date is October 21, 2015. The effective dates for other issues are April 20, 2017 and March 22, 2017 respectively.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, left knee condition, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further examination and determination.,The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma, left knee condition, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of erectile dysfunction, left hip disability, low back disability and right shoulder disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee was granted with an initial evaluation of 10 percent effective June 6, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and a right knee disability, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.,For other issues such as hearing loss and gastrointestinal disabilities, additional evidence is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and right knee disability were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.