Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's complaints during and after service formed a continuity of symptoms and credible lay evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and remanded the cases regarding service connection for right knee condition, residuals of TBI, and PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in disturbances of motivation and mood but do not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or an inability to establish or maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate 20 percent rating for symptoms analogous to dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee with locking, pain, and effusion into the joint has been granted since March 1, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his left shoulder and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for painful motion of the bilateral knees, wrists, and feet was denied. The Board also granted TDIU effective October 11, 2005, and eligibility for DEA benefits effective that date.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his right knee disabilities have been granted with an effective date of February 23, 2016. As a result, the appeal is dismissed as there are no longer any disputed issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to the use of a back brace and left knee brace in 2018 are granted. However, his claims for Clotrimazole cream, Hydrocortisone cream, and Lidocaine ointment causing damage to his outer garments in 2016 were denied.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance due to use of prosthetic or orthopedic appliances or medication. The Board found that the medications did not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has granted service connection for back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of scoliosis, spondylosis, and bilateral knee strain are considered in determining the relationship to service.,Service connection is denied for an intestinal disorder as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected total left knee replacement is remanded due to conflicting findings in the most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his instability is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis during or within one year after service and concluding that any current osteoarthritis is not related to service.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for a right knee limitation of motion due to scar, finding that the Veteran's scars do not result in any functional limitations of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and TDIU due to outstanding issues related to his left knee, lumbar spine disorder, and residuals of a lipoma. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma, bilateral hearing loss, benign chest tumor, pinched nerve of the left arm, left knee disability, and stress ulcer.

The Board denied service connection for frostbite residuals, blackouts with loss of consciousness, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and headaches. The case is remanded for an updated examination of the Veteran's forehead scar.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the severity of her service-connected right knee disability, left knee limitation of flexion, and urinary incontinence as a possible neurological manifestation.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and neck disability, but denied service connection for right knee disability and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding an effective date earlier than October 21, 2019 for a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain (lumbar strain).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the right knee was denied as there is no evidence showing ankylosis or actual range of motion that would warrant a higher rating.