Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain, left elbow ulnar neuropathy, right knee flexion, and right wrist synovitis have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as it was shown to be related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted, with the opinion that it began during active service.,Service connection for left knee tendonitis and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from May 9, 2013. Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease (neck) are granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim and service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, and foot disorders due to additional service treatment records being obtained. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for right-knee disorder and left-knee disorder, but has remanded the cases for further development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability related to his in-service bursitis and noting that the preponderance of the evidence did not meet the one-year requirement after separation from service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected. The right, low back, and left foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet and left heel spur are service-connected, as is fibromatosis of the hips, knees, ankles, and feet. The claim for asthma secondary to allergic rhinitis is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various hand, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are being reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

Your appeal for service connection for a left knee disorder has been dismissed because the issue was rendered moot by the grant of service connection at an initial rating of 10 percent effective March 13, 2010.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a 10 percent rating for the left knee disability and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating.

The Veteran's asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and posttraumatic headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted an initial rating of 10 percent for his posttraumatic headaches. However, the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as a higher rating for uveitis, conjunctivitis, episcleritis with dry eyes.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings due to the lack of limitation of motion or instability. The Veteran’s back disability is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not yet been evaluated by VA audiologist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability and lower back (lumbar) disability due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The claims will be reviewed again after a VA examination is conducted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50% effective as of March 26, 2020. The right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee chondromalacia with a lateral meniscus tear, status post-surgical repair, remain under review for increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 2, 2011. The evidence showed other disabilities affecting his ability to work, such as varicose veins and depression.

The Veteran's appeal regarding TBI, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, right knee strain and tendonitis, and left knee strain and tendonitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a Board decision.