Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability, which was rated as status post total left knee arthroplasty prior to November 14, 2018, and in excess of 60 percent as of that date, has been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 19, 2017, and 30 percent thereafter. A separate rating of 20 percent for limitation of extension from April 19, 2017, to January 16, 2020, has been granted. The Veteran's right knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service complaints.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure, heart disorder, and left knee disorder as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was also denied because the Veteran did not meet the VA criteria for a current diagnosis of hearing loss in that ear.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left knee internal derangement status post meniscectomy and ACL replacement with hamstring grafting, chondromalacia, and degenerative joint disease (left knee) and right knee chondromalacia.,No specific date was provided for the effective dates as they are not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's stroke residuals.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee condition, all of which are currently denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings higher than 10 percent for his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease with Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.,Service connection is not granted for a back disability or right lower extremity radiculopathy (to include hip and ankle) due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain/sprain with scoliosis and right knee chondromalacia patella, status post right knee ACL surgery with shin splints have been granted initial ratings. The rating for the right knee condition was reduced after August 2, 2018.

The Veteran's chondromalacia left knee is rated at a 20 percent disability rating effective August 27, 2014. The Board also granted an additional 20 percent for the same condition under Diagnostic Code 5258 due to frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board denied increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine prior to April 25, 2019.

The Veteran is granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities from October 19, 2006 and TDIU based on depressive disorder alone from October 25, 2019.,Effective October 25, 2019, the Veteran also receives SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities as they are considered current disabilities that began during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records, including STRs not reviewed by the RO. The Veteran is diagnosed with osteoarthritis of both her left knee and left shoulder that she asserts are related to in-service injuries. Additional medical opinions are needed based on new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left wrist ganglion cyst and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain.

The Veteran's TBI with PTSD is granted a total rating, and his left eye recurrent corneal erosions, painful motion of the left knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome), GERD, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are all granted increased ratings. The Veteran’s tendon strain of the right fifth finger remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right hip disabilities, finding that the VA examinations were inadequate and did not address all relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee disability prior to May 19, 2015 and 40 percent thereafter, service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to service-connected left knee disability, and service connection for a right knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected left knee disability. The TDIU claim has also been added to the appeal.