Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, and a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of his right knee meniscectomy is granted. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings on his right knee patellofemoral syndrome remains denied.

The Veteran's asthma and chronic migraine headaches have been granted service connection. The right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, lumbar-sacral strain, and right knee patella-femoral syndrome issues are remanded for further examination and rating determinations. The major depressive disorder issue has been fully resolved with a grant of higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, left knee disorder, and fracture of the right big toe as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, right hip arthritis with limitation to extension, right hip arthritis with limitation to abduction, right hip arthritis with limitation to flexion, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and thoracic & lumbar spine spondylosis as part of her increased rating claims.

The Veteran's hallux valgus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the left knee with history of chondromalacia patella does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the right knee with history of chondromalacia patella also does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of back and right knee disorders, so the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for right and left knee disabilities, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened. The Board has determined that further medical examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right knee osteoarthritis is denied. For the rating period from March 31, 2016, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis is denied. A separate disability rating of 10 percent but no higher for left knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee total arthroplasty is remanded. The claim for service connection for a left foot disability (claimed as left foot second metatarsal dorsiflexory osteotomy) as secondary to his service-connected left knee total arthroplasty is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left knee disorders due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he asserts are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome and post-operative chondromalacia patella, was found to not warrant an increased rating prior to June 2, 2014. The case is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at a 20 percent rating effective February 28, 2011. The motion for vacatur of the July 2019 Board decision was granted and the original decision is vacated.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or worsened by his service-connected left ankle and foot disabilities.

Service connection granted for left knee condition, tinnitus, and left foot condition (to include plantar fasciitis) due to service-connected conditions.,Remaining issues of service connection for right hip condition and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected back, hip, and knee disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to ensure proper evaluation of the severity and manifestations of his conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's right knee disorder may be related to his military service, but further investigation is needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee condition and granted it, finding that there is continuity of symptomatology since service. The Board also found that the current right knee condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for contact dermatitis, tinnitus, patellofemoral syndrome (left knee), and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) are partially granted. The claim for increased rating for contact dermatitis is denied. The claim for increased rating for tinnitus prior to August 6, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) is dismissed. The claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome, left knee, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability are granted separate 10 percent ratings from January 28, 2011 to June 4, 2012.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 8, 2017 and at 20 percent beginning from that date. The Board denied an increased rating for the right ankle disability before August 8, 2017, but granted a 20 percent rating starting from that date. Service connection for the right knee disorder was also denied.