Knee decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow condition, right elbow condition, and bilateral knee condition due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and left knee disability are all being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the spine and right knee bursitis were denied.,No specific rating or effective date was assigned in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach condition and left knee condition due to new evidence submitted. The claims are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship of these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address service connection claims, increased rating claims, and separate ratings for surgical scars. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, OSA, hammertoe disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral plantar calluses are at issue.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects moderate limitation of motion. The Board finds no evidence of marked limitation of motion.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran’s DJD of the right knee was characterized by pain and some limitation of motion; however, there is no indication of ankylosis or severe symptoms warranting a higher rating. Since July 26, 2016, the Veteran's right foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis with callus on the great toe have resulted in moderate to severe unilateral symptoms.,Prior to July 31, 2013, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to cervical strain. Since then, his disability has not met the criteria for favorable ankylosis or severe recurrent subluxation/lateral instability warranting a higher rating.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran's major depressive disorder did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. Since then, his condition has resulted in such impairment but not to the extent that it would meet the criteria for greater disability.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, unspecified headache, and cervical spine disabilities due to lack of evidence showing onset or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues with scheduled VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, but he experienced significant functional limitations. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.,For the left knee strain, there is no evidence of compensable limitation beyond the minimum required by Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion).,Similarly, for right knee strain, there is no evidence of compensable limitation beyond the minimum required by Diagnostic Code 5261 (limitation of extension).,The Veteran's hypothyroidism does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7903.,There is insufficient evidence to support service connection for COPD or Sleep Apnea.,Service connection for Chloracne was denied due to lack of nexus between current condition and in-service exposure.,No new evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for skin disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Veteran has not established qualifying ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA service on March 5, 2000, which may be necessary to substantiate his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the right knee and left knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, as they do not cause him to be permanently bedridden or require regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements indicate significant limitations, and a VA examiner provided an opinion linking early onset traumatic arthritis to the Veteran’s history of parachuting during service.

Service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, and left ankle has been granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar related to right ankle surgery is denied. The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,His tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for a herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine, as secondary to his service-connected knee condition. The increased rating claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee joint effusion and early degenerative joint disease have been granted a 10% evaluation.,Right knee instability has been granted a 10% rating prior to January 23, 2018. From March 18, 2019 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the manifestations of his condition and determine if there is any functional loss due to pain or other symptoms during flare-ups.