Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for Reiter’s syndrome, left hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankles with hyperuricemia was denied. The disability is rated at 60 percent since December 19, 2010.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and tibia/fibula fractures are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left knee disability is being remanded due to unclear findings from the January 2020 VA examination. The case will be returned to the examiner for clarification of the reported limitation of extension.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Board has found that there was no substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding joint conditions and vertigo.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 22, 2011. The decision grants a TDIU for this period.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and determining whether she qualifies for TDIU or SMC based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and additional development is required.

The Veteran's total left knee replacement is rated at 30 percent from December 1, 2018. The evidence does not show chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board.,The claim of service connection for a left knee condition, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA Form 21-4142 and a need for an addendum opinion regarding bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5258. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for limitation of extension of the left knee is granted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for slight left knee instability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to revise a June 23, 2011 rating decision that denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities. The decision is revised to reflect an award of service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and medial compartment osteoarthritis of the right knee, both effective October 22, 2009.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated his back and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and facet disease with scoliosis, left knee instability, and left knee degenerative joint disease have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and sleep apnea due to gas chamber exposure. The issues are being returned for further development, including verification of service dates and obtaining medical examinations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left foot, right foot, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease claims are also remanded as they may be related to his knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-operative right knee osteoarthritic changes and a separate rating for the meniscal tear with removal was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 30 percent or 10 percent, respectively.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine if the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability caused or aggravated his left knee and right hip conditions.