Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right hip and left knee disabilities caused by Euflexxa shots, finding no evidence of carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability based on limitation of motion. However, he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for mild instability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,LLE radiculopathy is secondary to lumbar IVDS, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent effective August 19, 2013. The claim for higher ratings prior to October 14, 2020, and after that date, are denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 30% rating from February 16, 2010 to May 4, 2010.

The Veteran's melanomas and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records. The below-the-knee amputation of the right leg is also being remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claims for melanomas, peripheral neuropathy, and below-the-knee amputation of the right leg will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding no competent evidence of any current diagnosis or functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis, but remanded the issues of bilateral pes planus and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than specific phobia was denied. The reduction from a 100 percent to a 20 percent rating for his left shoulder disability, status post arthroscopic surgery, effective February 1, 2016, was upheld. His claims for higher ratings for the left shoulder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied. His claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied. The Veteran's specific phobia, bilateral hearing loss, cholecystectomy residuals, cholecystectomy scars, and right knee scars all received initial compensable ratings. Finally, his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, left ankle disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome are less likely than not incurred in or caused by complaints of knee pain that occurred during service to include parachute jumps.,There is no evidence of a current left ankle disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current right foot disability was incurred in service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and left third finger tendonitis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee, status post arthroscopy, is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran’s right knee disability (degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia) is rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is found to have started during his military service and granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, shin splints (left and right legs), right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The reasons provided include lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology, absence of a nexus to service, and no aggravation by service-connected inguinal hernia.

The appeal for service connection for allergic rhinitis has been rendered moot by the grant of service connection in a July 2020 rating decision.,Service connection for a left knee disorder (claimed as severe left leg arthritis) is denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder, to include ocular migraines, and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance. The Veteran's current headaches are not considered incurred in or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right shoulder glenohumeral joint arthritis, left knee disability, left hand disability, and right elbow disability has been remanded.,Accrued benefits claims for left shoulder glenohumeral joint arthritis and right shoulder glenohumeral joint arthritis have been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to lack of evidence showing a link between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is rated at 60% since September 1, 2013. The Veteran also has a right wrist carpal tunnel condition which does not affect the rating of her left knee.