Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, diagnosed as degenerative changes and muscle spasm, was granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis is denied. The Veteran's disability rating remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) other than headaches was denied. The Board found no evidence of non-headache TBI residuals.,A rating of 30 percent for right knee status-post cartilage restoration surgery with degenerative arthritis, but not higher, is granted from December 29, 2013 to September 23, 2019. The Veteran's condition was found to more closely approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating during this period.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature, etiology, and relationship of any identified left knee condition to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a low back disability, a left knee disability (secondary to a low back disability), obstructive sleep apnea, genital herpes, and hypertriglyceridemia.,There is no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms since service for any of the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder) are remanded due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hip disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient in-service medical records. The Veteran needs to provide information about his injuries and treatment during service, and VA will attempt to obtain any missing records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral heel spurs, right knee disability, and heart condition (mitral valve prolapse) due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. Further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia is related to an in-service injury at Fort Lee in July 1988, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis prior to December 1, 2010, finding that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and remanded the issues of entitlement to bilateral hearing loss and secondary service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability due to potential issues with the adequacy of the VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shoulder and knee conditions, do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to November 12, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine DDD disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed by an orthopedic clinician to determine its etiology and whether it caused or aggravated his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,For the period prior to August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not productive of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,From August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been productive of forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, ankylosis, incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulation, or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a retrospective evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability from July 2009 to present. The TDIU claim is also on hold as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected, and his left elbow arthritis has been rated based on painful motion. The issues of increased ratings for the left elbow and secondary service connection have been remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of drop foot, right hip disability, and knee disabilities as they have been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his right leg condition, left knee condition, and mood disorder with sleep disturbance were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left brachial plexus and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to in-service injuries.,Service connection for the right knee condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.