Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and acquired psychiatric disorders (mood disorder and anxiety disorder) have been granted service connection.,Initial disability ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with painful motion during flexion and instability remain denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for his left knee disability in September 2018, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's shin splints have increased in severity and warrant extraschedular consideration. The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence.,The Veteran is also being scheduled for various VA examinations related to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral knee scars has been dismissed.,Service connection for brain aneurysm secondary to right knee disability, upper extremity gout secondary to service-connected kidney disease, and lower extremity gout secondary to service-connected kidney disease have all been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bipartite patella and degenerative joint disease of the right knee; bipartite patella and degenerative joint disease of the left knee; right knee instability; left knee instability from October 31, 2014; and symptomatic removal of right knee semilunar cartilage were all granted with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back, neck, right foot, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Veteran's service records indicate complaints of pain in these areas during service, but no current diagnoses have been established. A new examination is required for each condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to September 26, 2018, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for scars of the left knee is denied. The Board finds that there has been no findings of three or more painful or unstable scars from September 26, 2018.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent for both the Veteran's right and left knee patellar femoral syndrome, effective as of January 28, 2020.

The Veteran's right knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary artery disease (CAD); peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; thoracolumbar spine condition (back condition); and right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee condition) due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's military service in Vietnam is potentially relevant for these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as his recent grants of 10 percent ratings did not address all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims to reopen are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded as it may be related to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded because more recent treatment records are needed, and a new examination is required due to the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's multilevel lumbar disc disease is being remanded for a new examination as it may have worsened since the last evaluation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded because an opinion on whether it is related to service-connected lumbar spine disability is needed.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are also being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded as a new examination is required, including an assessment of whether it is related to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and lower extremity numbness are also being remanded for medical opinions on their relationship to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as more detailed information regarding the impact of his disabilities on his employment is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left knee sprain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. The decision also reopened the claim due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and sleep disorders are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left wrist CTS have been granted with specific disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for right shoulder arthritis and TDIU is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a new opinion on his left knee disability, and to consider whether extra-schedular TDIU should be granted prior to July 15, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no direct or secondary service connection based on the lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disorder. An addendum opinion on the respiratory disorder claim is also needed.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee contusion and arthritis with painful limited motion are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for such.