Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder was denied, and his initial disability rating for PTSD was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition arising from his in-service injury and no relationship between his current right knee disability and military service or his right knee and a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated at 10% and not entitled to a higher rating.,There is no evidence of a back disorder related to service, and the claim for service connection is denied.,Service connection has been granted for the right shoulder disorder, but it was not incurred in or caused by service.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disorders are not considered to be related to service.,There is no evidence of a back disorder related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical examinations and for further development of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability and recurrent subluxation or lateral instability have been granted increased ratings, a TDIU has been awarded, and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits has been established. The effective dates are January 31, 2012, September 20, 2013, and January 31, 2012 respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is etiologically related to her active service and grants this claim. The right knee condition claim is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability. The Board found that these conditions did not have their onset in service or are not related to any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's post-operative scar resulting from removal of a sebaceous cyst resulted in several small surgical scars which were not deep, did not involve tissue loss, and were less than 39 sq. cm. in size.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral compartment is granted as service-connected.,For the period prior to October 29, 2019, the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. From October 29, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's right shoulder disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.,For the period from October 29, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's left shoulder disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address whether the Veteran's low back, right hip, and right ankle disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to her inaction regarding employment history and earnings information. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining complete occupational history from August 2007 onwards.

The Board has granted clothing allowance claims for the use of left knee and left ankle braces in 2018, finding that they caused damage to the Veteran's clothing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination and need for further development of his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between current knee conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, hepatitis C, and liver disorder due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee laxity was restored to a 10 percent rating as of January 1, 2021. A higher 20 percent rating for left knee laxity was granted effective February 7, 2021.,The reduction in the rating for left knee laxity from 10 percent to noncompensable (0%) was improper and has been restored as of January 1, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle conditions, as well as bilateral retropatellar pain condition of the knees. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability remains under review.,The Veteran's initial rating for his lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded due to a contention that it has worsened.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left and right thighs have been denied. The current evaluations are 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Both thigh injuries are rated as moderately severe (30%) based on muscle group involvement.

The Veteran's diagnosed lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis are secondary to his service-connected bilateral elbow disability. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's claimed right arm, left arm, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hand, and left hand conditions are related to his service-connected bilateral elbow disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and for an increased rating for residuals of fracture of the right 5th metatarsal. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to service.,The Veteran's right foot injury during service led to a fracture, which resulted in ongoing pain but did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including myasthenia gravis, heart condition, peripheral neuropathy, knee conditions, sleep apnea, lymphedema, skin cancer, blisters, and rashes. The evidence did not establish herbicide exposure or show the conditions had their onset in service.