Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disorders due to his incarceration, requiring VA to attempt to obtain examinations at a correctional facility or arrange for an examination by qualified medical professionals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and gastrointestinal disability was granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD is also granted, but the TDIU (total disability rating based on individual unemployability) due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's anemia is rated as noncompensable, and the right and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The scars are rated at 10 percent. The left knee and right knee arthropathies are both rated at 10 percent. The left shoulder and right shoulder rotator tendinopathies are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's anemia is not compensable, as her hemoglobin levels have been above the threshold for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a link between her current disability and her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression), and a personality disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or chronic conditions related to service.,Service connection cannot be established as the preponderance of the evidence does not support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to service-connected burial benefits, finding that malaria was a contributing factor in his death.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee conditions based on the evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The Board has granted the Veteran a higher rating of 20 percent for his left knee condition, which includes both limitation of motion and instability.

The Board has restored the prior 10 percent ratings for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and chronic rhinitis with history of tonsillitis and pharyngitis, effective April 1, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea. The left knee disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted service connection as secondary to PTSD. The left hand disability and hypertension are both remanded for further examination, while the left knee disability remains in a state of pending appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee mild patellofemoral syndrome warrants an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, with flexion limited to at most 100 degrees and full extension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a back condition, and right knee and low back conditions have been granted. The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 0 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pes equinus in both feet and knee conditions. The Veteran needs a new examination for his bilateral foot and knee disabilities due to worsening symptoms since the last VA examinations. He also needs a new examination for his cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurring ulcers and gastritis, right shoulder sore joint with degenerative arthritis, severe congestion and sinus conditions, and right knee pain with degenerative arthritis. The issues of service connection for severe congestion and sinus conditions and right knee pain with degenerative arthritis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right foot plantar fasciitis, right knee limitation of flexion and extension, right knee lateral instability, and left knee lateral instability have been granted ratings. The Veteran also received a TDIU.